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THE HISTORY OF COLNE F.C.
The Beginning of a New Era
Colne Football Club was formed in January 1996 by a group of local football enthusiasts who shared a belief that the town deserved a club of its own.
Under the guidance of now Life President Dave Blacklock, the group combined their knowledge, experience and passion for non-league football to bring senior football back to Holt House. The historic ground had previously been home to Colne Dynamoes, whose achievements had created some of the proudest moments in the town's footballing history.
With Holt House standing vacant, the foundations were laid for a new club to represent Colne in the North West Counties Football League Division Two.
On 17 August 1996, Colne FC played the first competitive fixture in the club's history. Middlewich were the visitors to Holt House and secured a 1-0 victory, but the result was secondary to the occasion. A new chapter in the town's footballing story had officially begun.
Keith Mason was appointed as the club's first manager, although his time in charge was brief. Following his resignation, Denzel Hart took over the role.
Hart's first game ended in a difficult 6-0 defeat away at Ashton Town, but just two matches later came a result that would earn its place in club history. Colne recorded their first ever competitive victory with an emphatic 5-2 win over Bacup Borough.
The club's first season also brought its first taste of silverware, with the reserve team lifting the BEP Cup at Clitheroe's Shawbridge ground.
A New Generation Takes Control
In the summer of 2002, James Webster became chairman of Colne FC at just 24 years of age, making him the youngest chairman in the league.
Webster was already familiar with the club, having represented Colne as a player. Alongside his father, who became vice-chairman, he shared a determination to build a team capable of creating its own history at Holt House.
One of Webster's first major decisions was to appoint Nigel Coates as manager, with player Gary Rishton becoming his assistant.
Coates understood both the club and the town. He had represented Colne Dynamoes and had been part of the famous team that lifted the FA Vase at Wembley. He also arrived with managerial experience gained at local rivals Nelson.
Together, they began to build a side that would bring pride, excitement and success back to Holt House.
The Glory of 2003/04
The 2003/04 season remains one of the defining campaigns in the history of Colne Football Club.
Despite having to play catch-up in the league because of an extended cup run, Colne finished the season as Division Two champions, ending the campaign ten points clear at the top of the table.
The Reds scored an outstanding 102 goals in 38 league matches, playing with a confidence and attacking spirit that captured the imagination of the town.
The club completed a league and cup double by defeating Great Harwood 1-0 in the final of the Division Two Trophy.
However, it was Colne's remarkable run in the FA Vase that attracted attention far beyond Lancashire.
Despite competing in Division Two of the North West Counties Football League, Colne progressed all the way to the semi-finals. The journey included an unforgettable 2-1 victory away at AFC Wimbledon, a result that remains one of the greatest in the club's history.
Colne's dream of reaching Wembley was eventually ended by AFC Sudbury, who won a dramatic semi-final 4-3 on aggregate over two legs.
Although the journey ended in heartbreak, the campaign transformed the club. Attendances began to rise as the people of Colne recognised that the team was no longer simply making up the numbers.
Holt House began to find its voice, and from the terraces emerged the famous Red Army.
A Decade of Stability
Nigel Coates remained in charge for ten years, providing the club with a period of stability and helping establish Colne as a respected name within the North West Counties Football League.
In November 2013, Coates stepped down from his position. Former Colne player Steve Cunningham was appointed as his successor, with another popular former Red, Ted Cockett, joining him as assistant manager and coach.
Cunningham and Cockett arrived with ambitious plans. New players were brought into the squad and, after consolidating during the remainder of the season, the pair began laying the foundations for what would become the most successful period in the club's history.
The 2014/15 season produced Colne's highest league finish at that time, with the Reds ending the campaign in an impressive fourth place.
It was a sign of what was to come.
The Glory Years
The 2015/16 season marked Colne FC's twentieth anniversary and became the greatest campaign the club had ever experienced.
The Reds battled throughout the season with Runcorn Linnets and Atherton Collieries for the North West Counties Football League Premier Division title.
After months of pressure, drama and expectation, everything came down to the closing stages of the campaign.
At 1874 Northwich, an 81st-minute goal from Danny Boyle secured the championship for Colne. The Reds finished the season with 100 points and more than 100 goals.
The club also reached the final of the League Cup, where Atherton Collieries prevented Colne from completing a memorable double.
Nevertheless, promotion had been achieved and the championship trophy returned to Holt House.
For the first time in its history, Colne Football Club was preparing to compete at Step Four of the non-league pyramid.
Life in the Northern Premier League
Colne’s first season at the higher level exceeded expectations.
Rather than simply attempting to survive, the Reds finished fifth and secured a place in the promotion play-offs. Their season eventually ended with defeat to Farsley Celtic in the semi-final, but the campaign demonstrated that Colne were capable of competing against some of the strongest clubs at that level.
The supporters also earned admiration throughout the league. Wherever the team travelled, the Red Army followed in numbers and made themselves heard.
Under Steve Cunningham, and with Ryan Haigh becoming chairman and supporting the club through his company’s sponsorship, Colne continued to challenge near the top of the division.
The Reds narrowly missed out on another play-off place on the final day of the following season, losing out on goal difference.
The 2018/19 campaign brought another new chapter with the creation of the Northern Premier League West Division. Once again, Colne reached the play-offs, and once again the season ended in the cruellest fashion.
In the semi-final at Leek Town, the Reds were denied by a last-minute goal in extra time. It was another painful ending, but also further proof of how far the club had travelled since its formation in 1996.
An Historic FA Cup Run
The 2019/20 season was eventually declared null and void because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Colne sitting in mid-table when football was suspended.
Despite the season’s premature ending, it included one of the proudest cup runs in the club’s history.
For the first time, Colne reached the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup. The Reds travelled to National League side Gateshead with the dream of reaching the First Round proper.
Although Gateshead proved too strong on the day, the achievement represented another significant milestone for everyone connected with the club.
At the end of the season, Steve Cunningham stepped down after a hugely successful period in charge.
He was replaced by Nathan Rooney, who arrived with a new management team and ambitions of challenging at the top of a highly competitive division.
Colne made an outstanding start to the 2020/21 season and sat top of the league after nine matches. However, the campaign was once again curtailed because of the pandemic, and the club’s promising start was wiped from the record books.
The 25th Anniversary Season
The 2021/22 campaign marked the 25th anniversary of Colne Football Club. The Reds entered a new-look division with several new signings, while Lee Pugh took over as captain from long-serving defender Alex Coleman.
The early months of the season were disrupted by injuries to key players. After 13 league matches, Colne had recorded five wins, three draws and five defeats.
The cup competitions, however, provided several memorable moments.
In the FA Cup, Colne drew away at old friends Trafford before winning the replay 2-1 at Harrison Drive. The Reds then travelled to Stalybridge Celtic and secured an excellent 1-0 victory, before narrowly losing by the same scoreline at home to Guiseley.
The FA Trophy brought another exciting run. Colne defeated City of Liverpool 1-0 away from home before producing a superb 2-1 victory at Buxton to reach the First Round proper for the first time.
The draw paired the Reds with Southern League Premier Division Central side Tamworth. After a fiercely contested match ended 1-1, Colne were eventually eliminated 4-3 on penalties.
Despite the disappointment, reaching the First Round proper represented the club’s best ever performance in the competition.
Nathan Rooney resigned in December for personal reasons and was replaced by Jonathan Macken, who appointed Steve Atkinson as his assistant.
Their first game came on New Year’s Day against Kendal Town and ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat.
January was a month of significant change, with six players joining the club and six moving on. Results remained difficult, with only one point collected from six matches.
February brought four more defeats, although performances were beginning to improve.
That improvement became clear in March. Colne recorded three victories and a draw without conceding a single goal, a run that effectively secured the club’s place at Step Four for another season.
A Period of Turmoil
The 2022/23 season began with optimism following a promising pre-season, but quickly became one of the most difficult periods in the club’s history.
At the end of August, Ryan Haigh stepped down as chairman and principal sponsor.
With the club facing uncertainty, local businessmen Glenn Stock and Darren Harrison were approached. Within days, they had agreed to step forward and were announced as Colne FC’s new co-chairmen.
Instability away from the pitch was soon reflected in results on it.
As the new year began, a difficult run of form dragged Colne closer to the relegation places. Following a series of disappointing results, the club made the decision to part company with manager Phil Brown.
Former Burnley player Paul Weller was appointed as interim manager and given the task of preserving the club’s Step Four status.
Despite his efforts, Colne were relegated on the final day of the season, bringing an end to the club’s time in the Northern Premier League.
A Trophy in Difficult Times
The club’s first season back in the North West Counties Football League ended with a respectable mid-table finish.
However, the campaign was saved by a remarkable piece of cup history.
Colne reached the final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, where they faced Bamber Bridge. After falling two goals behind, the Reds produced an extraordinary comeback to win 5-2 and lift their first piece of silverware since the 2015/16 promotion season.
It was a night that captured everything associated with Colne Football Club: resilience, belief and a refusal to accept defeat.
The final proved to be Paul Weller’s last match in charge, with the manager stepping down from his position following the victory.
Rebuilding Once More
Stuart Mellish was appointed ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and immediately faced the enormous task of assembling a completely new squad after the entire first-team group departed for pastures new as the club made difficult financial decisions.
The early stages of the season proved difficult, with the newly assembled side struggling to find consistency. Mellish was eventually replaced by Andy Harrison, who took charge during a challenging period for the club.
Despite the efforts of Harrison, his staff and the players, Colne were unable to turn results around and were relegated to the North West Counties Football League Division One North at the end of the 2024/25 season.
It was another painful chapter in the club’s history, but also an opportunity to pause, rebuild and create firmer foundations for the future.
As Colne FC entered its 30th anniversary season, the focus shifted towards stabilising the club both on and off the pitch. The priority was not simply to chase an immediate return, but to rebuild responsibly, restore pride and ensure that the football club remained at the heart of the town for generations to come.
Throughout every high and low, Colne Football Club has continued to represent its community with pride.
From the volunteers who founded the club in 1996 to the players who carried the Reds into the latter stages of national competitions, every generation has added another page to the story.
There have been championships, promotions, cup triumphs, relegations and moments of heartbreak. There have been famous victories, unforgettable journeys and nights under the Holt House lights that will live forever in the memories of those who were there.
The club has fallen before, and it has always risen again.
The names and faces may change, but the identity remains the same.
The Red Army endures.
This is our club. This is our town. This is Colne.
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