Eagley - Eagley Sports Complex

Eagley FC

Eagley Sports Complex

Dunscar Bridge

Blackburn Road (A666)

Bolton

Greater Manchester

BL7 9PF

Official Website

Twitter

Ground Number: 1579

Sunday 30th August 2026

Eagley 2-2 Hurst Green

West Lancs Premier

EAGLEY FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

Although another Eagley club existed from 1875 until 1887, this club was established in 1952 and was originally known as Eagley Mills. They stuck with local leagues at first, playing in the Manchester League and Bolton Combination. Eagley joined the West Lancs in 1988, starting in Division 2 and winning the title in 1991. A 3rd place finish in 1994 was a good achievement, especially after a three-point deduction. The division was renamed the Premier in 1998, and in 2004 they were runners-up to Kirkham & Wesham (now AFC Fylde). Eagley finished bottom of the league in 2017 and were relegated to Division 1. They'd have to wait until 2024 to win promotion back as champions. Last season they won the Premier Division but did not have the facilities to accept promotion.

The previous version of the club played in the FA Cup in the late 1800s but failed to win a game. Local cup wins include four Bolton Hospital Cups and the Lancashire Amateur Shield in 1960. From December 2013 to 2014, the club was managed by former Wales and Wigan Athletic striker Simon Haworth. The village of Eagley is near Bolton in Greater Manchester.  Historically part of Lancashire, it lies on the southern slopes of the West Pennine Moors. Eagley Brook passes through the village and runs by Eagley Mills, which are now converted flats which overlook the river. The population, including the nearby Sharples area, is around 8,400.

MY VISIT

Thanks to Colin, this had been a good value weekend, potential ramifications of a speeding fine permitting. I had split the costs as follows. Friday was the petrol and servicing costs of getting to the hotel - that was £21. Saturday was the costs of the petrol and servicing to get to the Friday and Saturday games - as we had Boston fan Shaun with us, that worked out at £13 each between two games. Today's costs were what I paid for the hotel room - a shade over £180 - £90 each or £30 a game. Finally, tomorrow's games would be Sunday's and Monday's car costs - still to be determined. Either way, it worked out very reasonable per game due to the volume of games, which is the whole purpose of the organised hop.

From the game at Stoneclough, it was a fairly slow drive to Eagley due to going through a busy area. We were there at 1.15; the parking was well organised but quite tight compared to the previous game. After brilliant sunshine, it was gloomy and drizzly on the journey and at the ground. £5 secured me entry into the game; a chilli beef brisket barm was £5, chocolate cake £3, and a pint of Aspalls was £4.

Eagley were 4th in the table, having won four, drawn two and lost one. Last time out, they beat Astley and Buckshaw 2-0. Hurst Green were 7th and had won three, drawn two and lost two. In their last game, they'd won 6-0 at CMB. It was an all-female refereeing team for this game, which was rather unique. Hurst Green had the better of the first half and the home keeper was rather erratic. However, it was Eagley that took the lead on 42 minutes with an excellent shot that flew into the net. Half-time came, and Hurst Green continued to push after the break, hitting the bar and forcing a good save out of the keeper. Despite this, Eagley rode their luck and doubled their lead on 65 minutes, a good passing move and a shot that went in off the right-hand post. Hurst Green got the goals they deserved near the end, both of them coming in injury time. I was up the other end waiting to go to the next game, so I didn't have the best view, but I know that one was scored by their impressive #9.

 

THE GROUND

EAGLEY SPORTS COMPLEX is a decent venue for step 7. The pitch is fully railed with dugouts but there is no cover pitch side. There is some in the bar, which is just set back from the pitch behind one goal. This is a decent place, well-priced pints served in a nice atmosphere. Food is also good, an interesting range of options for the groundhop. A few merchandise options were also available. There is a reasonably sized car park at the ground with plenty more nearby.