Trafford FC are delighted to confirm the signing of striker Tom Lawrence.

Tom spent his youth career at Chester before being released at the end of last season. Over the summer, he has been developing his game and now makes the move to Shawe View.

He arrives with a strong reputation as a powerful centre forward, combining pace with an eye for goal and a clinical finishing touch.

Manager Karl Marginson had the following to say about Tom’s arrival:

“Tom comes highly recommended and has shown really well in training and I’m confident he’ll fit in with us”

Tom comes straight into the squad for Saturday’s home game against Sporting Khalsa.

Welcome to Trafford Tom, we’re delighted to have you here!

We are excited to confirm the arrival of central defender Harry Winstanley.

“Harry has been on our radar since last season and I am delighted he’s agreed to join us. He’s a left footed defender who has good quality and I’m sure he’ll fit right into our squad” said manager Karl Marginson.

Harry began his football journey as a scholar at Blackpool, before spending three seasons at Colne and more recently at Ramsbottom United. 

Harry is available for tonight’s trip to Witton Albion.

Welcome to Trafford, Harry!

Trafford FC welcome Bury FC to Shawe View on Tuesday, October 7th kick off 19:45 for the first ever league game between the two sides.

A larger than average crowd is expected. There will be no segregation in place and in order to speed entry to the ground, arrangements have been put in place for the match to be ticketed.

Trafford season ticket holders can gain entry by producing their season tickets at the Players’ and Officials’ gate.

Tickets purchases can be made online via Bury’s ticketing platform https://buryfc.co.uk/tickets from 9am (Thursday 25th September) or from Trafford’s Shawe View ground next week.

Normal entry prices will apply of £10 Adult, £6 Concession (Over 65’s & 17-18’s) and £2 U16s.

In person purchase will be available from Shawe View at the following times:

A further announcement will be made should any tickets remain after Saturday October 4th,

Transport and Travel arrangements

There is limited parking at Shawe View and supporters are encouraged where possible to travel by public transport or share vehicles with fellow supporters.

Public Transport

Train:

Shawe View is 300 meters from Chassen Road train station with trains direct from Manchester.

Buses:

248, 253 and 255 all stop within a short walking distance from the ground.

245, 247 and 256 all stop at Trafford General Hospital, which is a short 8-minute walk from the ground.

Greater Manchester Bee Network Journey Planner is available HERE

Travelling by car

Supporters who have no option but to travel by car are advised that the car park on Pennybridge Lane is likely to be full by 19:00.

Supporters should attempt to park away from the ground and walk a short distance to the match. This will ease congestion around the ground and make it easier for supporters to get away after the game. There is parking on Bowfell Road and Moorside Road both of which are a short walk from the ground.

We would ask all visitors to respect our local neighbours and not to park across driveways or restrict access to residential properties.

Roadworks

There are currently roadworks taking place outside the Bird I’ th’ Hand pub on Flixton Road. These roadworks are traffic light-controlled and are causing delays to traffic. Supporters are asked to avoid Flixton Road and park away from the ground.

Trafford FC  would like to wish the best of luck to Ollie Culkin and Ryley Smith, who have departed the Away Day Care Shawe View Stadium. 

Since signing for Trafford in the Summer of the 2024/25 season, Ryley Smith made 40 appearances scoring 5 goals. 

Ryley departs to join fellow Northern Premier League West opponents Avro FC.

Ollie Culkin joined Trafford in 2024 and made a total of 14 appearances, his most memorable performance was in the 1-0 victory away at Hednesford Town, where Culks saved a penalty late in the second half to secure all 3 points for Trafford. Ollie departs to drop to the North West Counties league side Alsager Town.

Trafford have been drawn at home against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stockton Town.

The game will be played on 30th August 3pm KO.

Congratulations to Brad Byrne & Jack Higginbottom who have both recently hit milestone Trafford FC appearances.

Brad hit 50 appearances at Clitheroe last week before Jack also reached 50 on Saturday in the FA Cup against Campion AFC.

Brad Byrne

Byrne joined Trafford from Stalybridge Celtic in May 2024 having made 30 appearances in the 23/24 season for the Celts. 

Manager Karl Marginson gave him his debut on the 2nd August 2024 in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round victory away at Albion Sports where he played the full 90 minutes. The 25/26 season is underway and Byrne hit his milestone 50 in the 2-1 away defeat to Clitheroe.

Byrne made a total of 47 appearance in the 24/25 season scoring 1 goal.

Jack Higginbottom

Jack Higginbottom is a product of the Trafford Youth & reserves system.

Jack also made his 1st team debut against Albion Sports last season, and went on to play in 47 of our 48 games in the 24/25 campaign, an unbelievable record which included 40 consecutive starts in what was his debut season. Jack’s 50th appearance for Trafford came in the FA Cup Preliminary round against Campion AFC.

Earlier in the pre-season period we announced our retained list – the vast majority of the squad have stayed on from last season. Goalkeeper Sam Booth has once again signed a contract with the club, and youngster Josh Wood has also been signed up to a deal for the new season. All other players have signed up to the usual non-contract arrangements.

AHEAD of our opening League fixture of 2025-26, here’s a re-cap of the ins & outs of the squad:

Rio Clegg joined Radcliffe FC this summer after a season at Shawe View that saw him become the top scorer in NPL West with 20 goals.

Young striker Kanye Nisbett has joined Stockpot Georgians in search of more first team opportunities.

Defender Bailey Brown is on dual registration with Cheadle Nomads.

Midfielder Taylor Dyson who joined us in the final few weeks of last season has taken up an offer from Hyde United.

Forward Kevin Spinelli is looking for a new club.

We wish all the departees every success at their new clubs.

Our Reserves team had a very good season in 24-25, finishing 4th in their League and reaching the League Cup Final where they unfortunately lost on penalties. Two players from Paul Barrow’s squad have been promoted to the 1st Team squad for the new season – midfielder Henry Brown and defender Kieron Jones.  

Former TFCY U-18 player Harrison Bickerton has returned to the Club after a couple of seasons away playing for Wythenshawe FC and Cheadle Nomads. 

Other new faces in the squad include:

Kingston Fligg: (Midfielder, 19, Stockport Town)

Campbell Reid: (Forward, 19, former clubs)

Kieron Molloy: (Midfielder, 24, Wythenshawe Town)

Matt Davies: (Forward, 34, Charnock Richards)