It’s been a glorious season for Prestwich Heys AFC with silverware galore and promotion to the North West Counties League in the bag.
But celebrations are not just confined to the north Manchester town with Salford playing a key role in the club’s success.
The Sandgate Road-based club have brought back four trophies to their Adie Moran Park ground, starting with them being crowned Manchester League Premier Division Champions.
They clinched the title with a 3-0 home win over Wythenshawe Amateurs and received the trophy four days later after beating AVRO 4-0.
Prestwich Heys AFC celebrate title and cup-winning success
The club have long held ambitions to return to the league they last graced 30 years ago and their promotion – 13 points clear at the top of the table – was confirmed on the same night they beat Manchester Gregorians 1-0 to take the Gilgryst Cup.
The step-up means semi-professional football will be played in Prestwich once again and while there is a core of players from the local area, the team has firm roots in Salford.
Manager Jon Lyons is a Salford lad and his presence has brought many players from the city to the club.
Brothers Jamie and Mark Baguley joined the club from AFC Monton last summer, from where Max White and Dalton McLaughlin also came.
Salford lads Jamie (left) and Mark (right) Baguley with the Manchester League Championship Trophy
All four have made key contributions in the course of the season.
Heys Captain Brad Lyons also heralds from Salford and is joined other players Liam Foster, Jake Wood, Danny White and Erike Sousa.
Throughout the club’s history Prestwich Heys AFC have enjoyed close links with Salford.
The famous side of the 1960’s which enjoyed success on a national scale had a heavy Salfordian presence, and in the early 1980’s, the Wellington pub on Irlams o’th Height made up Heys’ highly successful Sunday league side almost en masse.
It’s a link the club are anxious are to maintain as the city has a history of creating football talent.
Whilst Salford City are enjoying great success there was a time that Heys competed at the same level and it’s a path they are looking to follow as they prepare for a step up in class.
They are hoping that enduring Salford connection will capture the imagination of football fans just over the border as well as in Prestwich.
Keep up to date with Heys preparations for their return to non-league at www.prestwichheys.com
