Overview
Atherton Collieries Football Club is an association football club, based in Manchester. Founded 107 years ago in 1916, the team currently compete in the Northern Premier League, the 7th tier of English football.
They play their home matches at Alder House, and are nicknamed "The Colls".
History
Atherton Collieries Football Club was formed in 1916 by miners from the six pits in the town.
They have played at Alder House since their formation and were founding members of the North West Counties Football League in 1982.
In 2017, they earned promotion to the Northern Premier League for the first time in their history.
They have had many memorable moments, including a young Anthony Pilkington grabbing a hat-trick against FC United of Manchester in 2006/07.
The club have also produced professional footballers, such as Billy Butler and Bob Haworth who featured in the 1923 FA Cup Final.
They continue to have links with Bolton Wanderers, playing an annual pre-season friendly against them.
Michael Clegg was appointed first team manager in 2014 and has led them to various successes, including winning the NWCFL Division One title and the Bolton Hospital Cup in his first season.
In 2016/17, they clinched the NWCFL Premier Division title and reached the last 16 of the FA Vase.