'The form book goes out the window in the Flat Cap Derby'

When Atherton Collieries take on Atherton LR on Friday night there will be more than just local pride on the line in what is known in the area as the ‘Flat Cap Derby’. 

Local derbies already have plenty of needle but throw in the fact Collieries boss Michael Clegg only joined two seasons ago from LR (Laburnum Rovers) and this FA Vase second qualifying round clash has a touch of added spice. 

In his first season in charge Clegg led Collieries to promotion to the North West Counties Premier League where they currently sit 10th in the table.

LR are also 10th, but in the first division, however Clegg is adamant that the form book goes out of the window on nights like these. 

“We beat them in pre-season but I am sure their team is stronger now, whereas ours is quite similar,” he said. 

“We will be the favourites, but in derbies the form book goes out the window, there will be tackles flying in and a lot of it will be in the head, who deals with it better.

“We are getting quite good crowds in now, so that will be for LR to deal with. We have been to two cup finals and played big games to clinch the league last year. 

“It will be a bit weird, but since I took over LR I have been involved in seven of these derbies and am yet to lose, but maybe that means I am due one. I hope not!” 

North Shields beat Glossop in the 2015 FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium

Last year another local side Glossop North End made it all the way to the Vase final at Wembley Stadium before losing to North Shields. And Clegg says his Collieries side would love to be involved in something similar. 

“Everyone was casting an envious eye at Glossop last year, of course we were pleased for them as well,” he added. 

“But we have played them recently and the lads are keen to experience that and if we can get on a run then who knows, but we need to put in the performances first.” 

For Laburnum Rovers this is a season of change with the brothers Craig and Adam Jones taking over as joint managers in the summer.

This is the first time the double act have managed a team together and after a solid start in the league, younger brother Adam is plotting an upset on Friday night. 

“This is quite a historic tie, it’s been going for many years,” he said.  

“Whoever gets man of the match actually receives a flat cap, presented by a member of the opposite team’s committee. 

“We are definitely going in as the underdogs, my brother and I only took over a month before the season, so pre-season came very early on in our tenure. 

“We had not really formed the squad but now we have had more of a chance to see what the team are about. 

“My brother and I both played for LR and when the job came available we thought it was something we could do really well. 

“My full-time job is as a college lecturer. I have worked full-time in football in the past though, for teams like Preston North End and Wigan in the different academies, so coaching is something I know while Craig knows non-league football, we make a good combination.

“It’s going to be a really good game, there could be as many as five or six hundred people there, what a great game to be involved in.”