Trafford FC today (Saturday 12th March) showed its support for Ukraine in its struggle against an unnecessary and devastating invasion by the Russian Federation. As is the case across the whole of football, the blue and yellow national colours of Ukraine have been flying at Shawe View in support of the Ukrainian people. Our players gathered behind the flag prior to the game with Kidsgrove Athletic (who’s travelling supporters got into the spirit too – as can be seen from our pictures); With us today were volunteers from the M41 Ukraine Appeal, led by Peter Killick, collecting donations for the British Red Cross’s efforts to help those poor civilians uprooted by the outrageous actions of Putin and his fellow bullies. Just short of £400 was collected for the appeal – thank you so much everyone for your generosity, and thank you to our Trafford FC Youth section U9’s who went round at half time with the buckets!

TRAFFORD FC is delighted to announce our third signing of the summer, young goalkeeper BRAD ROSE!!!

Brad came through Salford City’s youth system before joining NPL Premier Division side Radcliffe FC just over a year ago. He’s arrived at Shawe View on a season-long loan, subject to FA approval.

Brad says of his move “I’m looking forward to big things happening – making progress under Danny Caldecott and his coaching staff, and making a contribution to the team this coming season”

Trafford Boss Danny Caldecott says: “After meeting Brad it was clear he is everything we wanted to progress as a team this season. His attitude and enthusiasm to learning and developing was infectious. He has some outstanding attributes and we are delighted Radcliffe have trusted us with the next steps of his career. We now have two very talented young keepers whom will be huge contributors this season. Welcome Brad!”

You can see Brad, our other signings, and the entire squad in action again in just two weeks this Saturday, when our first pre-season friendly takes place at Shawe View versus Curzon Ashton, Saturday 8th July, kick off 3pm!

Trafford FC are delighted to announce that former Manchester United Goalkeeper Nick Culkin has agreed to join the back room staff at Shawe View. The move was prompted by Paul Chapman’s decision to leave the club for pastures new. Nick will take over as the Club’s goalkeeper coach, a role that he held with great success at FC United under the current Trafford boss Karl Marginson. Margy said:

“Firstly I’d like to thank Chappy for his honesty about the desire to coach his remaining time in the game at another club and I wish him the very best of luck wherever that may be. I’ve known Chappy for many years and we’ve shared lots of successes together. He’s a great lad and I’m sure everyone at the club wishes him well. Nick’s appointment shows our commitment to being the best we can be at all levels of the club. His playing and coaching experience and expertise will only benefit the young goalkeepers who are currently at the club. Nick spent 6 years as a young goalie himself training day in day out with arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time in Peter Schmeichel, and after moving on he had an excellent playing career before injury forced him into non-league. I’ve known Nick for a number of years now and his honesty, integrity and humility will contribute positively to an already excellent staff, and I’m buzzing that he’s accepted the role”

Meanwhile, centre back Will Hall and full back Jack Sloan have left the club, both deciding to join fellow Northern Premier League West clubs Clitheroe and Avro respectively. Margy continued:

“Although I was disappointed that Will and Jack have made the decision to move, I totally understand and respect their reasons, and I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying good luck at their new clubs. Whenever a manager leaves a job at this level there’s a feeding frenzy from clubs who are looking to benefit from the uncertainty that the situation causes. I’ve spoken to all the players and asked them to give me and the staff the opportunity to show them that we’ll be taking the football club in the right direction, and as long as they can demonstrate the correct attitudes and behaviours, then they can be part of a culture of honesty and trust where personal development, hard-work and respect will be rewarded with success both on the pitch and also in their own personal lives. We don’t need anybody who doesn’t want to be here, we need people who are committed to being the best they can be.”

Trafford’s 6-game winning run came to an end this evening (Tuesday 24th September) at Clitheroe when Margy’s team slipped to a 3-1 defeat in the NPL West Division.
Harry Norris put Trafford ahead with a header on 17 minutes (see picture) but the hosts levelled before half time when Trafford keeper Sam Booth saved a penalty, but the rebound was scored.
Two late goals for Clitheroe sealed the points for them – Dave Law’s match report will be published soon, so keep logging onto traffordfc.com!

Trafford’s return to league action was disappointing this evening – losing 0-3 at home to Mossley. Dave Law’s match report will be up later, so keep an eye out for that on this website and our socials…………..

JACK DONOHUE is 18-years-old and represents Trafford FC. He is one of a number of talented young players that have been making their way through the Trafford FC Youth ranks over the last few years, and are now making an impression in the first team squad. Jack recently scored the winning penalty in the Premier Cup Quarter Final shootout at home to Glossop North End – a pressure cooker situation which didn’t phase the young man! Pete McGrath from the Trafford Media Team asked Jack a few questions a few days after that game……

PM: So the 1st question has to be about how you’ve been with Trafford since you were a kid – from Trafford Youth to 1st team squad; An amazing journey. What age were you when you started playing for the Trafford badge and how did that come about?

JD: Steve Tobin has been a big part of the journey for me. Steve has coached me since I was about 4 years old. I was with Steve in the original Trafford Youth team that was previously at Meadowside. I was 9 years old at the time (when the team moved across) and ever since then I have played for Trafford .

PM: After going through grassroots football, very successfully, in the Timperley JFL, the team became Trafford’s Youth Team/Under 18’s in 2021 joining the North West Youth Alliance. It must have been a good feeling to make that progression into the realms of semi-pro Youth competitions?

JD: Yes, you could tell the difference in football compared to grass roots, and we had a great first season. We finished 2nd in the League (playing U18’s teams from other non-league/semi pro clubs).

PM: I remember the FA Youth cup game early on that season, in Shawe View. That was a great atmosphere – that must have been a real buzz too? (The team beat Glossop North End’s Youth Team 4-1 in the in front of nearly 350 spectators!)

JD: Yes the FA Youth cup was really good for us as a team. We prepared well, and to play in a cup like that with players you have played with for so long was a very good moment. Last season we did make it to the County Cup final however we unfortunately got beat. (Versus Altrincham at FC United’s Broadhurst Park stadium).

PM: Obviously the team has developed over the seasons, players come and go, but there’s a core to the team that have been together for years & years, grown up together – yourself, Mackena, Niall Jordan, Matty Lusakueno, Jack Higgy, Will Burgess, Dexter and others – and we’ve seen those lads, particularly you, Mackena, Niall & Matty, make inroads into the first team. You seem to be top mates aswell – I guess you have a really good rapport with your team mates in that respect?

JD: Yes we have grown up together and we are all good friends. We all trust each other and are confident in one another.

PM: So what has it been like getting involved in the 1st team this season? Margy is a guy who clearly wants to develop young players, give them chances in the team, get them involved in the squad. He has a sprinkling of experienced players too – I guess you are learning so much from them?

JD: Being involved in the first team is a big step up compared to the U21s physically and mentally, and it’s good being around a team with a great bunch of lads – It does make it easier. The lads push you to the limit and they get 100 percent out of you. We train with them and we learn a lot from the senior players – we are always learning from them as they have the experience and the knowledge which they can pass onto younger players.

PM: So to the recent Premier Cup quarter final: You came on at half time if I remember rightly, had a good run out up front, got on the ball a few times, helped the team cause Glossop a few problems…. then it went to penalties. It transpired that you were the first of the “sudden death” penalties for Trafford, and you scored what proved to be the winner for us! What were your thoughts as you walked up to take that penalty?

JD: I mean I was nervous but I was confident in my ability to score the penalty, and my teammates helped me get through the nerves. When the whistle went I already knew where I was going to put the penalty. It was a great team effort.

PM: Sadly we went out in the Semi Final, but everyone’s confident that under Margy and the players we have, the youngsters coming through, we will be winning things in the seasons to come. For you Jack, what are your hopes/targets moving forward with Trafford this season, next and beyond. Obviously you play regularly for our U21’s, and I guess keep working hard, learning, knocking on the door of the first team when opportunities arrive?

JD: Yes that’s correct. For me, I’m working towards becoming a regular for the first team and to get my name out there. For the U21’s we have been performing all year round (currently 3rd in the league, 3 points off top spot) so hopefully we carry on and win trophies, but as I say, the main thing for me is to become a regular in the first team and help the club win trophies and progress in the right direction.

(Trafford’s U21’s are in the North West U21 Development League. You can follow their progress by clicking this link:

Trafford FC U21’s

Jack Donohue seems like a sensible, hard-working young man, proud to represent this Club. With him and others like him, our future is secure! Thanks Jack for giving us your time!!

Trafford Football Club is delighted to announce that Andy Mitten has accepted an offer to become honorary vice-President of the club. Journalist and author Andy is often seen at our Shawe View stadium whenever he is in Manchester, and in recent seasons has taken in a few away games too. He has been a great source of advice, ideas, and support for the club for several years now, and being from the locality, Andy wants to help Trafford FC grow in its community in the north of the Borough of Trafford. I’m sure everyone will wish Andy all the best as he takes on his latest role!

After 4 intense pre-season training sessions, Trafford FC started their friendly game programme with a trip to Llandudno yesterday (Saturday 6th July).

An entertaining game ensued with both sides playing some great football and creating many chances. The home side took the lead with virtually the second kick of the game, but Trafford immediately remembered they weren’t in a training session, and built some good passing moves with Tom Beckett and Matty Lusakueno particularly dangerous on the wings/cutting in.

ON 28 minutes, it was these two who provided Trafford with an equaliser – Lusakueno with the assist, Beckett with the finish to make it 1-1. The next 6 minutes of action saw Llandudno retain the lead, and Trafford equalise again – that man Beckett sidestepping a couple of home challenges to slot it home.

Llandudno scored just before half time to lead 3-2 at the break, and a raft of changes in the second half saw several youngsters, graduates of Trafford’s thriving Youth section, given their chances alongside the calm old head of assistant manager & former Stockport County skipper Harry Winter. Trafford took the second half with Winter cool on the ball, and the returning Harrison Bickerton looking comfortable at left-back. 10 minutes into the half, Eddie Brown held the ball up well and laid it off to Ollie McKay to strike home Trafford’s 3rd equaliser of the match. Meanwhile on the left wing, a young trialist called Josh Wood was showing no fear, making some great runs, and showing quality on the ball. Wood burst into the box and was brought down for a penalty which Rio Clegg put away for the winner, 4-3 to Trafford.

After the match, the England v Switzerland game was on in the Llandudno FC clubhouse, and Trafford’s players, staff & supporters enjoyed another penalty victory!!

Trafford’s next pre-season friendly is on Tuesday 16th July away at Abbey Hey FC kick off 19:45.

TRAFFORD travel to Prescot Cables for their next Pitching-in NPL fixture, which takes place on Saturday 28th January kick off 3pm.
Cables have asked us to make our supporters aware that they have CASH TURNSTILES ONLY – there are no card facilities on the turnstiles.
Admission prices are: £10 Adults, £6 Concessions, and £3 Children (Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult).
Cables also advise that they unfortunately do not have any parking at the ground. There is usually ample space on the surrounding streets for cars – just please try and park sensibly and keep the local residents in mind.
If bringing a bus, it’s best to disembark at the Hope & Anchor Pub at the top of Hope Street. Coming all the way down the street to the ground is possible, but it’s very tight.
The address/postcode is as follows:
Prescot Cables Football Club, Hope St, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 6HD
For those Trafford supporters attending tomorrow, enjoy your day, safe travels, and represent our great club well – with pride and vocal backing!! DC and the players DO appreciate your support!

TRAFFORD are next in action on Boxing Day, as we travel to Ramsbottom United for a Pitching-In Northern Premier League fixture. Kick off is 3pm for those supporters who are missing their football fix and would like to travel to support Danny Caldecott and his team. Our next home game is January 2nd versus Glossop North End, kick off also at 3pm. It would be lovely to see as many of your there as possible to help get 2023 off to a winning start!