CITY OF LIVERPOOL FC’s NPL West division campaign concluded with safety from relegation for the 100 per cent fan-owned club. 

Their 12^th place finish implies a degree of security, but in truth it was anything but comfortable in a strange season where any teams from 9^th place downwards could reasonably have been drawn into the relegation play-offs going into the final weeks of fixtures.

Approaching the season there was plenty of optimism around the Purps, who returned to groundshare at Bootle’s Vesty Road after a year in Ellesmere Port. Important existing players like Jack Hazlehurst and Max Allen committed their futures to the club whilst then-manager Michael Ellison recruited several additions to a new-look side.

A mixed pre-season concluded with encouraging wins against higher-tier FC United of Manchester and Chorley, but they got off to the worst possible start with an opening day defeat at Glossop North End which saw the Purps down to 10 men after just half an hour and miss a late penalty.

Three days later they looked comfortable and 1-0 ahead against newly promoted Skelmersdale United, only for a goalkeeping mistake to gift an equaliser before United eventually won it late on. Further defeats against Macclesfield and Bootle saw the Purps rock bottom of the NPL West, devoid of confidence and in an unexpected relegation battle. The mood around the club was that a change was needed as it could scantly afford being cut further adrift at the wrong end of the table.

They parted company with Michael Ellison and Skelmersdale United manager Paul McNally was appointed after an impressive start to the season, tasked with overseeing a rebuild and assuring the club’s NPL West division status. McNally brought assistant Graham Hastings and coach Adam James with him, as well as experienced striker Danny Mitchley to help solve a profligacy in front of goal. 

A tough start saw another goalkeeping howler set up defeat at Colne, before a poor performance at 1874 Northwich prompted the signing of 43-year-old EFL legend Kevin Ellison from Warrington Rylands. The former Morecambe forward added experience and guile and had a debut to remember. A veteran of over 800 professional career appearances, he put in a man of the match display with a goal and two assists, as the Purps finally got off the mark with a 3-2 win at Hanley Town.

Green shoots of recovery emerged as McNally’s side backed up their first win with another victory against Trafford. The ability to win in bursts became an important characteristic as the season would unfold, and a 4-0 win against Widnes was backed up by a satisfying last-minute victory over Kidsgrove, whose support had spent much of the first half singing of their admiration for Boris Johnson.  

Inconsistency showed the scale of the task at hand for the manager, who recruited experience in the form of towering goalkeeper Ben Barnes and midfielder Kenny Strickland from his former club, along with highly rated young defender Jack Hont, as a spine started to emerge. 

A real turning point in the season came on December 3 as the Purps were 1-0 down at relegation rivals Ramsbottom going into injury time. A late equaliser from James Steele was followed by a 94th-minute winner from defender Adam Hughes, snatching a huge victory from the jaws of defeat. 

Boxing Day then produced one of the performances of the season to defeat eventual Play Off finalists Runcorn Linnets 2-0 in their own back yard, which was followed by an entertaining point in the derby against landlords Bootle. The fixture was dedicated as a fundraising solidarity day for striking workers and was lit up by a stunning overhead kick from talisman Danny Mitchley. 

A dominant return to Skelmersdale United saw another win but inconsistencies were magnified by back-to-back home defeats from winnable games, which put a dent in hopes of a surge away from the chaos at the bottom of the table. The Purps then emerged from a trio of fixtures against relegation rivals Ramsbottom, Hanley and Colne with an important nine points, underlining the importance of an ability to win in bursts.

Potential for competing at the right end of the table was demonstrated by excellent wins against Clitheroe and eventual Play Off winners Workington, as McNally’s side displayed a steely determination and ability to withstand pressure against heavily fancied opponents.

“Inconsistency” was again the word on everyone’s lips after a brilliant 6-1 win at Newcastle Town was juxtaposed by a dismal defeat in the 10a Derby against Prescot going into the business end of the season.  

It was feared that a difficult run-in against sides in contention for promotion could see a slide towards the relegation places. Although the Purps suffered defeat at league winners Macclesfield, draws against Runcorn Linnets and Mossley assured safety, enabling supporters to enjoy the final-day point at Witton Albion.

A strong end to an emotionally draining season left little doubt surrounding the level to which the team can operate on their day, however an improvement in consistency will be required going into next season’s campaign if they are to compete in the upper echelons of a competitive league. 

Speaking to the club’s media team McNally explained: “We’re not a million miles away from being an okay top 10 team, potentially above that, it’s just down to inconsistency. We’ll be looking to eradicate that in the summer, we’ll be looking to identify players and nail down our principles again to any new members coming in.

“We’re maybe missing in that final third, but I feel we’re moving in the right direction. I don’t want to be negative and look too far back, but I feel we’ve made massive strides and that’ll be carried on hopefully through the summer and then into next season, which bodes well.”

The impact of McNally, Hastings and James cannot be understated, particularly given the mood around the club before their appointment and turnaround from the club losing the first six league games to finish 12th. A strong bond was formed between McNally, his team and supporters which was punctuated by hard work and sticking together in difficult moments. 

McNally explained: “The support is huge. It just adds to us, and it gives us an extra 20 per cent, especially at home. Even during the tough times they’ve stuck with us and they don’t realise just how important they are. If it’s a journey and we’re all successful together then let’s push on and enjoy it together.”