A non league club who dissolved in 2014 are set to make a big and exciting return to the English football scene, as confirmed by Hugh McAuley.
Hugh is a former footballer, who was named after his Dad, also named Hugh, and played full time football for 15 years, now the 44 year old is in the property and finance field, but has set his sights on bringing Formby Football Club back to life.
On the 7th of August 2020, an interesting tweet emerged from the landowner of the Altcar Road site on which Formby FC played prior to their demise. It showed a stunning artist’s impression of what the new look ground could look like ready for the club’s return, fair to say it’s pretty appealing.
Hugh wrote via his Twitter account: “After 12 months working together with our architects Zara Moon, we have designed the new Sports Complex for Altcar Formby. This will be the home for the new Formby Football Club and many sporting activities. Planning application will be submitted soon!”
After 12 months working together with our architects Zara Moon, we have designed the new Sports Complex for Altcar Formby. This will be the home for the new Formby Football Club and many sporting activities. Plamning application will be submitted soon! pic.twitter.com/f9PJOeeYXR
— Hugh Mcauley (@hughmcauley3) August 7, 2020
As written by JamesF on nonleaguematters: “Some background: the land upon which Formby’s ground was built back in the early 2000s is designated as greenbelt. There were a great number of restrictions associated with how the site could be developed, and as such only the most basic facilities were installed. Hugh Mcauley, who in addition to owning the plot was also a director of the club at the time of its folding, has long had intentions of erecting a grand sport and leisure complex in place of what currently stands – which would in turn would double as home for a revived Formby FC. He submitted a similar plan back in 2016, but this was effectively sunk when authorities refused to consider stripping the site of its greenbelt status. The existing ground has been in pretty much constant use over the last few years, predominantly by youth and Sunday sides.
“However, there appears to have been further movement recently (I really don’t know any details of the politics), and he is now confident enough to issue a new proposal. Clearly, this will take many years to come to fruition – if indeed it does. The hypothetical new club cannot be assured of an instant placement at Step 6, so may have to look towards the West Cheshire or Liverpool County Premier as its starting point.”
The highest level of football the club got to was the North West Counties Football League First Division, years prior to it’s disbandment.

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Formby’s average attendance was a high as 72 , so it would seem they have big hopes and expectations for much higher crowds coming through the turnstiles once the new ground is completed.
Another club that was rumoured to be making a return to non league football was East Ham United, team from Greater London, formed in 1933 but ended up dissolving after merging with Barking to form Barking & East Ham United.

The Hammers completed their last campaign in the Essex Senior League in 2000/01 season winning 12 of their 30 games finishing in 11th place of 16 clubs.
After two good seasons since joining the league in 1978, the club struggled, only finishing in the top ten three times in the next 21 seasons.
The merged club also went under in 2006 and whilst Barking were reformed and still play in the Isthmian League today, East Ham remained defunct.
Well on January the 27th 2020, a Twitter account named under the defunct club had surfaced before tweeting that they were set to rise from the dead.
This captured the attention from fans within the non league community with many wishing them luck on their return.

The admin behind the account said that they, East Ham, had plans to get themselves back into the English football pyramid for the 2020/21 season.
Essex Senior League replied to their tweet, revealing they were keen to help them out.
The club’s tweet got over 1,000 likes as well as plenty of shares and comments, many of which ‘East Ham’ replied to sharing their excitement in returning.
Then weeks later, the account and viral tweet mysteriously vanished despite getting thousands of followers since emerging on the site.
Since then, nothing more has come to light, meaning time will tell whether the club will rise again, we certainly hope they do!
Fans gave their reaction after seeing non league club Formby FC who dissolved in 2014 set to make a big return, with the owner responding to a few questions…
Having played for Formby this is fantastic. Just make sure you spell their name right as they’re a snotty bunch up that way ???
— Tugger! (@tommy_tugger) August 8, 2020
It has Peter it should have gone through during the local plan, but unfortunately the Parish council and Fraggoff objected. If you see the post we are adding extra commercial users to the site to pay for it. We are working with Sefton council to bring this forward
— Hugh Mcauley (@hughmcauley3) August 8, 2020
Good luck lads be great for the Formby and surround communities. Look forward to see the progress ??⚽️??
— Ste Carter (@Stecarter13) August 8, 2020
Haha that was a bit stupid! Bloody IPhones!
— Hugh Mcauley (@hughmcauley3) August 7, 2020
Looks boss that Hugh superb effort mate ??????.
— Ian Roberts (@IanRoberts1972) August 7, 2020
Looks brilliant mate. Best of luck and I hope it gets granted ????⚽️⚽️
— Andy Culshaw (@Andyculshaw27) August 7, 2020
Fingers crossed mate, about time hey, let’s hope you get Formby fc back to we’re it was when me uncle jim was there ??????
— Shevingtonparkfc (@Shevingtonpark1) August 8, 2020
Good luck – that site needs it and would be a great development. ??
— FCFC Roma U12 (@FcfcU11) August 8, 2020
Good to see
— Graeme (@Graeme_EFC1878) August 9, 2020
Boss
— checkemlads fc (peawack) (@peawack8) August 8, 2020

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