About Rainford Rangers Junior Football Club

	F.A. Charter Standard Club (2005)
	Liverpool County FA CYU 00653
	Lancashire County FA CYU 01051

Rainford Rangers Junior Football Club is based in the village of Rainford in Merseyside, North West England and is approximately 15 miles from Liverpool, home of Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs (as well as being the birthplace of the Beatles and Anne Robinson).

The Club was recently awarded FA Charter status which is attained by meeting standards of conduct and organisation set by the Football Association.

We currently run 8 teams age ranging from under 7's to under 18's

Team contacts are detailed in the appropriate page

Teams are entered into the many local leagues for competitive matches, but are also available for friendlies. Please contact Managers directly via the 'Contacts' page.

Whilst we do not have a pitch to call our own, we must thank the local schools and St Helen's Council for allowing us to use their pitches for matches and training purposes

A Potted History

Originating in 1973 the Club set out to provide youngsters from the village, and particularly the North End, with a regular game of football, since at that time there was very little alternative for the boys other than school activities or matches arranged through the Cub's section of the local Scout Association. This aim still exists and is reflected in our Constitution. It was also the first year of the Skelmersdale under 13 league, the only one in the area. This Team joined the following year but lost all 18 games. The following season saw better results with the team winning the league.

The Club was officially established in 1975, the name being selected from a competition amongst the RR Club members . The photograph below is of the original 1973 team which became Rainford Rangers in 1975 is provided courtesy of Eddie Dobson, a founder of the Club.:

This particular league had been chosen because both pitch and changing facilities were readily available at Liverpool Road in White Moss, Skelmersdale. Money for kit, balls etc. was in short supply and the Club begged, borrowed and scrimped on secondhand items.

The Club continued to enter the Skelmersdale League for the next few years and during the early 1980's expanded to eventually cater for four sides playing at Under 13's to Under 16's level. In 1981 the full squad represented the Skelmersdale Junior League in an all Lancashire under 14 tournament. On one occasion in the 80's the side were in a top Cup competition at Skelmersdale with the score at 1-1. After the referee counted the opposition he found that they were fielding 12 players. After this was corrected the side went on to win 3-1.

Throughout this period the Club encountered competition locally from both the youth club and Scouts who had teams entered into various leagues, and it became increasingly difficult to hold onto players from season to season. Kits and other pieces of equipment were generally being handed down, helped by donations from local businesses and residents.

By the 1982/83 season the Club had grown to five sides covering Under 12's to Under 16's, still playing in Skelmersdale, but at different venues, with transport every Sunday becoming a major problem, as all games were technically away. The Club had its first success in both League and Cup competitions at various levels.

Financially the Club struggled and teams disbanded partly due to players going over age but also due to lack of support and helpers.

A decision was made in 1983/84 to attempt to continue and a reorganisation of the management and administration of the Club was put into operation. Registration fees had been introduced and efforts were made to secure sponsors.

Two sides only commenced the 1983/84 season, with one in the Skelmersdale League at Under 12 level and the other Under 13's entered into the Rainhill Junior League for the first time. This latter option created new problems, as a home pitch had to be provided, which eventually led to a sharing of facilities with a local open age side, which in fact was a very unsatisfactory arrangement, as we did not have priority for games.

By 1985 a recruitment drive was initiated for more managers, with a view to increasing the number of teams. A major change in the Constitution was introduced, by opening up the playing membership to include boys from outside the village, but who attended local schools.

By 1987/88 seven teams had been entered into the Skelmersdale, Rainhill and St Helens Junior Leagues with age groups from Under 10's to under 17's.

A fairly large and active committee was now in being and various fund raising events, such as dances etc. were held throughout the year to supplement Club funds along with the additional benefits of increased sponsorship.

With teams now being introduced into both the St Helens and Rainhill Leagues there was a greatly increased requirement for more pitches, with changing facilities if possible, in the village area. Great difficulty was encountered in securing readily available grounds at a reasonable cost, with regrettably very little help or assistance from local councils. This proved to be very disappointing considering the free time that was being given by an ever increasing number of very willing helpers in providing sporting recreation for some one hundred youngsters on a regular basis. The problem regarding pitches and cost is still a main ongoing feature and causes great concern year after year.

During the early 1990's the Club expanded further still to include open age sides within its Constitution but this has now faltered after a few years and these teams have now gone on separate trials, with the Club reverting to its original format.

During the 1994/95 season teams were participating in both the St Helens and Rainhill Leagues, running from Under 10's to Under 16's with a fairly large membership and an extended committee.

In the 1996/97 season the Club entered an Under 18 team into the South Lancs Counties League for the first time, winning the Subsidiary Cup at their first attempt.

Over the last ten years the Club has organised and embarked upon various football tours, commencing with Scotland in 1986, then progressing to Holland and Ireland where we have forged strong links with several teams.

The 2005/6 season saw the Club venture into new territory again with an Under 15 team being entered into the Bootle Litherland and Netherton League and our Under 12 team into the Wigan and district League. An Under 7 team was formed and now plays in Craven Minor League; these are friendly games as at that age competitive football is not allowed.

In August 2005, our 30th anniversary season the Club attained FA Charter Standard status. This accolade is granted to clubs who meet strict standards and commitment to players and the community. This is a major milestone in the Club's history and will we hope lead to greater achievements in the coming years.

The success of Rainford Rangers J.F.C. is remarkable when you consider that the Club has never had a ground to call its home. This still remains the Club's vision for the future