Our Open day was a fantastic success with around 1000 people coming through the gates during the course of the day.  See our home page for details.  Pictured are a selection of photographs taken from the day- 

(Above) - Mike Hall officially opens the tennis courts

(Right) On your marks - Under starters orders in one of the heats in the Family Fun Relay Race.

What`s all that Racquet?

Helsby Tennis Club`s brand new, all weather, floodlit courts reopened with a member`s open day on Sunday 3rd June.  The £150,000 transformation of the courts was made possible by a grant and loan from the Lawn Tennis Association and a grant from Helsby Parish council. After toasting the opening of the new courts with Champagne and strawberries, members had the opportunity to meet with Gary Ward. Gary, an ex Wimbledon Junior, has recently been appointed as the head Tennis Coach for the Chester Road Club. Regular Tuesday night club nights have resumed, and coaching is available for all age groups. Contact John Burke with any membership enquiries on 07970 267550 or Gary Ward (pictured left) with any coaching enquiries on 07836 273271

Race Night Success

A fantastic race evening was held at the club on Friday 27th April, to raise funds for the redevelopment fund.  Helsby Community Sports Club would like to say a sincere thanks to all who attended, and helped to raise £850. 

A  mention must go to our race night sponsors who each sponsored a race, they were Fearns Pharmacy, Perfect Floors, Helsby Dental Surgery, Kemira GrowHow, Read Law, Watts & Smith, Utility Warehouse and Ian Tickle Estate Agency. 

Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Helsby Golf Club, Ironing Maidens, Helsby Fastfood, District Garage, Champagne Express, Marjorie`s Hairdressers, Smart Barbers, Amore Restaurant and Cheshire Police.  Thanks to everyone who helped to make the night a great success.

Six Year Wait for Silverware

Helsby FC ended a six year wait for silverware in April, by winning the Runcorn District FA Challenge Cup, beating fellow West Cheshire Division 2 side Halton FC 3-0 at Pavilions.

Helsby came into the game in good form, having lost just one of their previous eight league games. Playing downhill in the first half, Helsby started sharply and nearly went ahead with their first attack, but Nick Askey`s shot was well saved by the Halton keeper.

Helsby`s bright opening was rewarded after five minutes, man of the match Gaz Gerrard rising majestically to head home Richard Keen`s right wing corner. Right on half time, a sweeping Helsby move down the right saw Askey exchange a one-two with Cottiga, and although his first effort was blocked, he followed up emphatically to give Helsby a two-goal interval lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, Helsby struck a decisive third, Askey`s snapshot finding the bottom corner for his second of the match. Skipper Carl Meharry raised the trophy amidst jubilant scenes at the end, with the celebrations continuing long into the night back at the clubhouse.  

Helsby F.C go from strength to strength

It was a successful campaign all round for the club. Helsby FC Reserves reached the final of the Tom Gerraghty Memorial Trophy in the Chester & District League, while both existing junior teams made strong debuts in the Eastham & District Junior League.

The Under 13`s won their division and also contested a cup final, while the Under 15`s finished runners-up in what is a very competitive age group. 

The football club is going from strength to strength, and will operate Under 7`s and Under 9`s sides in the Chester Junior League next season. They are keen to recruit players for both these two age groups; if you are interested contact Paul Nicholls on 01928 725077.

Torrential Tag Taster

On Sunday 22nd April, Helsby RUFC held a Children`s `Tag Taster Day`. Despite the torrential down pours on the day, almost 100 children joined kids from the club. It was a fantastic event and a great introduction to non contact rugby in a fun, friendly, safe environment with qualified coaches on hand.

The club`s appreciation goes to the staff of Helsby Hillside, Hornsmill and Alvanley Schools for arranging teams, local primary schools for supporting the event and parents for bringing their children along. Mark Horridge, Junior Rugby secretary at the club, said, `All the volunteers at the club really enjoyed hosting the event, we find it is the best way of recruiting new players and it helps to strengthen our links in the community`.

Anybody who is interested in finding out more can phone Mark on 07875436767. The club`s playing season has now ended, but the new season will start again in August with training sessions and a similar tournament.  If you can`t wait that long, however, pop down and meet Mark and some of the juniors at the club`s open day on Sunday 8^th July.