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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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.

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 SECURE SIMPSON SIGNING

City of Liverpool FC are pleased to announce the signing of Michael Simpson.

Simmo was a key part of Michael Ellison’s Runcorn Linnets side which won the NWCFL Premier Division title.

A midfielder who is also capable of operating in defence, Simpson started his career at Bury before playing over 200 times for Linnets across a couple of spells.

Our new signing may be remembered by fans for scoring a spectacular brace as Linnets secured a resounding 5-1 win against Simon Burton’s Purps on their way to the 2018 NWCFL Premier Division title.

Since leaving the APEC Taxis Stadium, Simpson has recently represented NPL West champions Warrington Rylands and Step 5 play off winners Skelmersdale United.

“Simmo is a player who we’ve worked with before and who has great experience at this level,” manager Michael Ellison explained.

“He has a great attitude to his fitness, training, and matchdays and we know he will be an asset to the club for Season 2022/23”

“I’m delighted to be working with him again!”

Welcome to the club, Simmo.

POTTER SIGNS FOR 2022-23

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce that Freddie Potter has agreed a deal for the 2022-23 campaign.

The 33-year-old forward featured last pre-season for City of Liverpool after leaving Warrington Rylands, having worked with Michael Ellison to great success at Runcorn Linnets.

Freddie then joined the club on the eve of last season and went on to have the perfect beginning to life in Purple, scoring twice on his debut start as the Purps won 3-1 at Newcastle Town.

Freddie followed this up with a Bank Holiday derby winner against Bootle two days later, before making it four goals in three games by firing the Purps to an excellent 1-0 victory over Clitheroe in the FA Cup.

Potter’s Purple Patch continued as he hit the opener in an excellent personal performance, as the ten-man Purps won 3-2 win at his former club, and eventual champions, Rylands.

Affectionately dubbed “Purple Jesus” by supporters, Potter quickly became a real fan favourite before an innocuous injury sustained early on against Farsley Celtic saw him miss much of the rest of the season.

Freddie made his return from injury as a substitute on the final day of the season, finishing with 7 goals in 14 appearances for Michael Ellison’s side.

Ello explained, “Freddie was a big miss for us last season.”

“The timing of his injury and the fact it was a freak injury which kept him out for the majority of the season really, really hurt us”.

“If we can keep Freddie fit for this year, get him on the pitch and manage him well, I think it’s clear what he’ll bring and that’s goals!”

“He’s had a lot of offers again from other clubs, so I’m glad he’s decided to give it one more year [at City of Liverpool].”

“I’m glad he’s still a Purp and I’m looking forward to having a good pre-season with him and him hitting the ground running.”

PURPS ANNOUNCE MCKENNA ARRIVAL

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce the signing of Danny McKenna from Witton Albion.

The 24 year old came through the youth ranks at Bolton Wanderers before joining Witton in 2016 and spent time with Michael Ellison’s Runcorn Linnets before returning to Wincham Park in 2017.

A versatile operator, Danny is capable of operating in both defence and midfield and is known for having a sweet left foot – particularly from set pieces.

McKenna made 41 appearances for Witton Albion last season and is Michael Ellison’s second new signing, following John McGrath’s return to the club, as the Purps manager builds his squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.

Ello explained, “Danny is obviously a player I know well, who I’ve worked with before”

“He’s been plying his trade in the NPL Premier division for a number of seasons, he’s the right age and he fits the profile of the type of player we want to sign”.

“He’s young, he’s ambitious, he can play in a number of positions and he’s got a great left foot on him”.

“I’m delighted he’s decided to be a Purp because he’s had a lot of interest from other clubs, so the fact he’s decided to sign for us is great and I’m looking forward to working with him again”.

SCHOEY EXTENDS PURPS STAY

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to confirm that Ryan Schofield has agreed a deal to remain at the club for the 2022-23 season.

The defender joined the Purps in August 2021 having spent much of the summer on trial with Southport and made an immediate impression.

Schofield made his debut captaining his new side in an opening day draw with Ramsbottom, in the absence of club skipper Nathan Burke.

Schoey started the season in excellent form and was a leader point at the back for Michael Ellison’s side until an injury ruled him out for much of the middle part of the campaign.

In total, Schoey appeared 30 times for the Purps last season scoring one goal, which was the winner at home to Mossley towards the end of the season.

Ello explained, “Schoey is like a number of players in the squad in that last season he missed large parts due to injury.”

“I think when he was match fit, when he was available, he put in some really, really good performances in some big games for us.”

“His performances in the run-in towards the end of the season were outstanding, certainly post-Clitheroe and after having a chat with him I think we’re on the same page”.

“He’s aggressive, really good in the air, he’s a leader and what you’d call a natural defender so I’m looking forward to working with him for another season”.

PURPS DELIGHT IN RETAINING WALLS

City of Liverpool FC are delighted to announce that Jack Walls has signed a deal to stay at the club for the 2022-23 season.

The former Liverpool youngster joined the Purps in October 2021 and immediately made the right back spot his own, making 26 appearances and scoring one goal – a stunning long-range strike at Glossop North End.

Walls became a real fan favourite, balancing solid defensive displays with eye-catching forays forward down the right, and secured several man of the match awards as he became a key player for Michael Ellison.

Jack bagged two assists as the Purps routed Prescot Cables 6-0 in their own back yard, and had a number of key contributions across the season.

Notably, Walls produced a fine display as we took a hard-earned three points at Trafford and made a heroic goal-saving challenge in injury time as the Purps won 1-0 against Prescot on the final day of the season.

Ello explained, “I think Jack fits the profile of the type of player we want to bring to the club”.

“He’s 20 years of age and has a fantastic pedigree. He’s had a really, really good first season at this level for us”.

“He needs to improve in certain areas, which he knows, but he has aspirations of getting back into full-time football and we think we can give him the platform to do that”.

“For such a young lad he’s got a really good head on his shoulders. He’s fit, he can defend and has got a goal and assist in him”.

“I’m really looking forward to having a good pre-season with him this summer, hitting the ground running and having a successful season this year”.