Following the North West league restructure, the 2021/22 season was always going to be a strange one. Northop Mens 1s were a team in transition having lost nearly half the side to university or retirement since the last full season pre-covid. The team started off with a bang, with big wins against Neston, Oxton and Chester, before losing narrowly 3-2 at home to Bangor University – who it quickly became clear were front runners for the title.

Undaunted, Northop won all their remaining games pre Xmas – including a vital away win 1-0 at promotion chasing Chester 4s.

Another defeat away at Bangor with a weakened side put Northop in catch-up mode, but they kept pace with 5 wins on the bounce. A damaging 3-1 home defeat to Chester 4s looked to be the end of promotion hopes – but Bangor unexpectedly dropping points against Neston put the momentum back with Northop again. Final game of the season just needed a point to secure the championship and the men romped home 9-2 against local rivals Rhyl to seal the title.

Great consistent performances all year – Peter Roberts ever present and outstanding in goal; solid defending from Chris Staniforth, Sam Latham, Marlon Allison and Barry Dunn; Mike Vernon a colossus between defence and midfield, where ably supported by Will Bell, Lucas Jones, Lewys Taylor, Adam Lawrence and Tom Cruxton; goal scoring trio of Ciaran Sweeney, Rhys Price and the incredible Luke Doughty sharing the spoils up front. Many others also contributed – Niall Hurst, Tom Jenks, Jac Lloyd-Jones and Matthew Hall.

Several others all played their part in a truly outstanding team and club effort. Northop Hall worthy champions with most wins, most goals scored and a far superior goal difference to their rivals’