TO say Prescot Cables AFC were bitterly distressed to have their Hope Street ground taken from them after having played there since 1906 is the understatement of the year. (Writes Bert Taylor)

I still do not understand how such a tragedy could have happened. But to say it's wonderful how the club has survived against all the odds is another understatement.

Only a month before the 1995-96 season was due to start, Cables were without a team manager and last season's players had left.

Then, thanks mainly to the active interest of club chairman, Ted Mercer, and the hard work of vice-chairman Doug Lace and his wife Dot, who became Prescot's first-ever woman secretary, things began to move in the right direction.

Ex-Maghull and Bootle Arthur McCumiskey was appointed team manager and Derek Hughes came as his able assistant.

Home fixtures - 10 in all - were played at Ellesmere Port's ground until early November when neighbours Knowsley United agreed to a ground sharing arrangement at nearby Alt Park, Huyton.

Most importantly, a young and enthusiastic team assembled at short notice by McCumiskey and Hughes has done Prescot proud.

Their play is great to watch with several of the young lads attracting the interest of League clubs.

A series of good result had lifted them to eighth position in the North West Counties League Division One at the half-way stage of the season with 36 points from 23 fixtures played.

Although it might seem invidious to make mention of individuals in a team of 100 per cent grafters I think mentions should be made of striker Peter Cumiskey whose season's tally had topped the 20 goals up to now.

He is the best centre-forward Prescot have had for a good number of seasons.

In addition Prescot have had two players chosen for the Liverpool FA County Youth representative team, namely Paul Phillips (aged 17) and Mark Williams (16). Both players have had a fortnight training with Bury.

A highlight of the results had been the collection of four points from table toppers and promotion seekers Flixton via a 2-0 win at home (then Ellesmere Port) and a 2-2 draw at Flixton.

The team's playing results in the NWCL before the holidays read:

Home: Played 11, won 6, drawn 1, lost 4

Away: Played 12, won 4, drawn 5, lost 3.

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