AMBITIOUS Prescot Cables have every reason to face the new year with optimism as they will probably be playing their home fixtures at Hope Street in a matter of weeks.

Work is proceeding on the pitch, stands, dressing rooms and social centre as chairman Ted Mercer wants everything to be looking right when the big day dawns.

Meanwhile, team manager Arthur McCumiskey and his assistant Derek Hughes are intent on adding strength to the playing staff, having recently signed Eddie Taylor and Liam Crosbie from Nantwich Town.

A popular player at Hope Street a few years ago, Whistonian Taylor will need no introduction. Indeed, he marked his return on December 20 by playing a prominent part in a 7-1 Hoghton Road win over Holker Old Boys which was Cables biggest win since beating Formby 8-0 in 1983.

Presently, Cables are positioned sixth in the North West Counties League Division One with 33 points from 22 matches. A good sign for the future is the success of a youth team under the guidance of former league player Tony Murphy whose initiative has resulted in the formation of a North West Youth Alliance for next season.

The league will be an under 18s Sunday competition for non-league clubs. It will be run by the Bolton Combination, and clubs wishing to participate must be within a 50 mile radius of Bolton Town Hall.

Following two match postponements due to the atrocious weather, Cables are hoping to play an away fixture against Blackpool Rovers on Saturday. The coach leaves Prescot bus station at 12.30pm.

Other January matches are against Skelmersdale United, away, in the Liverpool Senior Cup first round on Wednesday 14, Ramsbottom United (17, Hoghton Road), Rossendale United (25, away) and Clitheroe (31, home).

Last weeks winning numbers in the clubs lottery were 3,6,9,12,14,18 (no claims). A draw for £950 takes place on Sunday next in the Deanes House (9.30pm).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.