HARWOOD BOUND FOR THE PURPS

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce the signing of Conor Harwood from Flint Town United.

The 22-year-old forward came through the youth ranks at Cymru Premier side Connah’s Quay Nomads and made history when he became the first player born after the millennium to make his debut in the Welsh topflight.

Our new signing was part of the Nomads squad which knocked SPL side Kilmarnock out of the Europa League in 2019, before they were eventually beaten by Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade.

Harwood later joined Flint Town United in 2020 where he was a regular fixture last season, featuring 27 times for The Silkmen.

Despite his age, Conor has considerable experience at Cymru Premier level, having made his debut in 2016, and is a player City of Liverpool have scouted for some time.

Manager Michael Ellison explained, “Conor will be a really good addition to the squad and gives us another attacking option”

“Conor has got a lot of experience in the Welsh Premier League and we kept our eye on his progress throughout last season, so we’re delighted to have secured his services.”

“He’s a young lad, he’s fit, strong, physical and powerful. I’m really looking forward to working with him”

PURPS RETURN FOR PRE-SEASON

City of Liverpool FC returned to pre-season training on Saturday as preparations for the 2022-23 campaign step up at Purple Hub.

Michael Ellison welcomed a mixture of existing players, new signings and triallists, with players taking part in fitness tests, drills and small sided games overseen by Ello, Matt Cross, Chris Lawton and Ryan Brookfield.

Among the participants were new signings Danny McKenna, Peter Wylie, Will Jones and John McGrath.

The Purps pre-season fixtures begin on 2nd July with a trip to Barnton and the full schedule of friendlies are as follows:

Date Fixture Venue
Saturday 02/07/2022 Barnton Townfield, CW8 4LH
Saturday 09/07/2022 Cammell Laird Prabhu Ventures LTD Arena, CH42 1PY
Saturday 16/07/2022 Burscough The Community Ground, L40 0SD
Tuesday 19/07/2022 Northwich Victoria Witton Albion FC, CW9 6DA
Saturday 23/07/2022 Merthyr Town Penydarren Park, CF47 8RF
Tuesday 26/07/2022 FC United of Manchester Berry Street Garage Stadium, Bootle, L30 1NY
Saturday 30/07/2022 Stocksbridge Park Steels* Berry Street Garage Stadium, Bootle, L30 1NY

*The Stocksbridge Park Steels fixture is a testimonial for Jack Hazlehurst. 

**Pre-season fixtures are subject to change. Any alterations or additions to the pre-season schedule will be communicated on official club platforms.

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COLFC TRIAL DAY A BIG SUCCESS

City of Liverpool hosted a trial day at Purple Hub on Saturday 11th June, which gave a group of prospects the opportunity to impress First Team manager Michael Ellison and his backroom team.

The session generated significant number of enquiries when it was announced at the end of April and saw over 70 players from various playing backgrounds register their interest in the opportunity.

Ello, Matt Cross and Ryan Brookfield took the sessions with over 30 players taking part in drills before a trial match took place later in the day.

A number of participants impressed and have been invited to participate in further sessions with the First Team squad when pre-season commences this weekend.

A gallery of photos from the trial day can be viewed below.

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WILL JONES JOINS THE PURPS

City of Liverpool FC are pleased to announce the signing of Will Jones from Witton Albion.

The 32 year old Scouser is a forward who brings with him a wealth of experience from various levels of Non League.

Will has also previously represented Burscough, Nantwich Town, Marine, Warrington Town and Colwyn Bay and becomes Michael Ellison’s sixth new signing ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Ello was delighted to get his man, explaining, “Will was one of our primary targets for this season.”

“He’s a player I’ve known for several years and last year I got to watch him a number of times for Witton.”

“He’s got bags of experience and has been plying his trade for a long time in the NPL Prem.”

“Will is a big, strong and physical target man who can hold the ball up well. He’s good in the air, works hard and I think he’ll bring goals to the side.”

“I’m delighted Will is a Purp. He’ll certainly improve our forward line and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Welcome to the club, Will.

PURPS ANNOUNCE SHAW ARRIVAL

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce the signing of Danny Shaw from Marine.

The 26 year old defender came through the youth ranks at Tranmere Rovers before leaving at the age of 18.

Shaw played 92 times for Marine across two spells before leaving at the end of last season, and has also represented Llandudno, Airbus UK and Widnes.

“Danny is a player who I have tried to sign on a couple of occasions before but narrowly missed out on him to Marine and Widnes, so I’m delighted to finally get him on board,” Purps manager Michael Ellison explained.

“For a young lad he’s got a lot of experience at this level.”

“He’s a big strong centre half, really aggressive, good in the air, he’s a top lad on and off the pitch and he can play as well.”

“Danny will definitely improve our defensive group and I’m delighted I’ve finally got him to be a Purp.”

Welcome to the club, Danny.

New 22/23 Club kits launched

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to showcase the new All Club kits for season 2022/23, to be worn by each team from the club, from Juniors to Youth to the 1st Team.

Following the success of the Anti-Racism 3rd kit designed by Director Sean Lindblad alongside our community refugee players in 2020, and the decision by Puma to conclude it’s direct to market offering post pandemic, we made the decision to allow Sean to design & source the new kits under our own brand; Partisan.  Are we the first club to entirely self produce their own teamwear?

The result are these excellent designs with just a touch of the 1980’s about them when Pinstripes on football shirts really came to prominence.

Both home and away shirts feature Pinstripes with a scalloped neckline and alternate club colouring in Purple & Gold.

Shirts are available to Pre Order in Adults and Kids sizes and full kits are available for Kids too!

Adult shirts are available in two cuts as well; Team fit for the man or woman who likes a fitted feel and Supporters cut for those of us who prefer a looser cut!

As we have sourced these kits directly, we are able to keep prices as low as possible, whilst still making the project financially viable for the club.

We are making a first order for the 1st team kit shortly and we have a limited capacity to include some shirts and kits for sale, so if you want to be the first to have the new designs, please get your Pre-Order in this week!!

Kids Shirts are £19.99 and full kits are £36.99, Adult shirts are priced at £24.99 and we will be adding new Teamwear and Partisan items

You can Pre-Order now at the clubs refreshed Store at www.colfc.myshopify.com

WYLIE JOINS THE STORY OF THE PURPS

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce the signing of Peter Wylie from Runcorn Linnets.

The 28-year-old centre-back came through the youth ranks at Blackburn Rovers and got to the FA Youth Cup final in 2012 with the Ewood Park side, eventually beaten by a Chelsea side featuring future Premier League stars Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Ake.

The experienced Wylie has played National League football for Stalybridge Celtic, featured in the NPL Premier Division with Marine and Warrington Town and also represented Skelmersdale United.

Our new signing is no stranger to manager Michael Ellison, who signed him for his Linnets side in 2018 from Marine, with the defender later going on to be appointed captain.

Under Peter’s captaincy Linnets progressed to the NPL West division Play Off final last season where they narrowly missed out on promotion, at the hands of his former club Marine.

Wylie will now spend his Weekends wearing purple and will provide a welcome boost to a City of Liverpool backline which was at times decimated by injuries last season.

Fans of the Mighty Purps will be hoping there is no “Heart as Big” as Wylie becomes Michael Ellison’s fourth signing of the summer, with his side looking to build on a 9th place finish last time out and bridge the gap to the Play Off places.

Ello explained, “Peter is a lad who I know really well from my time at Runcorn and I’m delighted he’s on board”.

“He brings with him a wealth of experience at this level and the level above, he’s as fit as they come, he’s quick, good on the ball and can play in a number of positions”.

“Peter is coming in on the back of a good season at this level last year and again had a lot of options but decided to come to the Purps”.

“I’m delighted to have him on board and I’m looking forward to liking up with him again this summer”.

PURPS CELEBRATE AWARDS DAY

City of Liverpool FC celebrated our inaugural Awards Day at Purple Hub on Saturday 4th June, with all ages coming together to celebrate achievements in the 2021-22 season.

We were delighted to welcome COLFC member and Liverpool FC Women star Missy Bo Kearns, who kindly turned out to present awards to the COLFC Juniors as well as sharing her experiences in football with our stars of the future.

Bo, who has just won the Womens Championship and promotion back to the Womens Super League, spoke about her pathway from junior football to representing Liverpool and England at Youth level, making her First Team debut and eventually winning Player of the Season 2020-21.

Various awards were handed out to COLFC Junior sides from Under 9’s up to Under 18’s level in what was the first opportunity to celebrate the season’s achievements together at COLFC in the Community’s base The Purple Hub since COVID.

Jack Hazlehurst was the big winner for the City of Liverpool first team, walking away with Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer accolades.

The Purple Messi scored an impressive 14 goals from midfield and recently pledged his future to the club by penning a contract until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

Right back Jack Walls marked an excellent first season at the club by picking up the Young Player of the Year award, whilst Club Secretary John Lavin won the Club Person of the Year.

There was also a joint Purple Samba awarded to Lee Thwaite and Peter Higham, who attended the most fixtures across the season (53).

First Team manager Michael Ellison also held a Q&A with supporters alongside Assistant Manager Matt Cross and Goalkeeper Coach Ryan Brookfield.

Fans took the opportunity to quiz the backroom team on their experiences in football, the 2021-22 campaign and plans for the forthcoming season.

Award winners for each age group were as follows:

City of Liverpool FC 9’s
Player of the Year Kurtis Spencer
Players Player of the Year Jude Hall
Most Improved Alesha Hall
Parents Player of the Year Alesha Hall
Leading Goalscorer Joel Grierson
City of Liverpool FC 10’s
Player of the Year Archie Hooton
Players Player of the Year Bobby Lambert
Best Attitude Kayden Sullivan
Parents Player of the Year Jamie Edwards – Hindley
Leading Goalscorer Bobby Lambert
City of Liverpool FC 10’s
Player of the Year Mohammed Guarna
Players Player of the Year Majd Soufi
Most Improved Sky Hollinsworth
Parents Player of the Year Rico Gill
Leading Goalscorer Rico Gill
Club Medal 15 medals
City of Liverpool U12’s
Player of the Year Ronnie Worby
Players Player of the Year Alfie Whelan
Most Improved Ethan Hayes
Parents Player of the Year Blake Murray
Leading Goalscorer Ronnie Worby
Club Medal 12 with Purple Ribbon
City of Liverpool FC 12’s
Player of the Year Luca Hollinsworth
Players Player of the Year Ali Ishaq
Best Attitude Ethan Sweeney Reid
Parents Player of the Year Gem Hackett
Leading Goalscorer Luca Hollinsworth
City of Liverpool U16’s
Player of the Year Liam Muscart
Manager’s Player of the Year Callum Stevenson
Parents Player of the Year Liam Muscart
Leading Goalscorer Adam Lyons
City of Liverpool U18’s
Player of the Year BillyKelly
Players Player of the Year Malikai Fry
Special Award Sam Craig
Parents Player of the Year Malikai Fry
Leading Goalscorer Ethan Wilson
City of Liverpool FC
Player of the Year Jack Hazlehurst
Players Player of the Year Jack Hazlehurst
Young Player of the Year Jack Walls
Supporters Player of the Year Jack Hazlehurst
Leading Goalscorer Jack Hazlehurst
Club Person of the Year John Lavin
Purple Partisan Award Peter Higham & Lee Thwaite

 

Awards Day Photo Gallery:

A full selection of over 400 images from the Awards Day is available within the following gallery.

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