Looking back through programmes again, I came across the one for the Annual Presentation Evening in 2003 which, unless anyone can tell me otherwise, was probably the most successful season in the club's history. The evening was held at Baden Hall Farm, Eccleshall, with a good menu for those attending and plenty of silverware on display.

Back in August 2002, the first team were playing in the Springbank Vending Midland League and manager Bob Askey (now chairman at Stone OA) was told that the ground would be ready for a tilt at the North West Counties League at the end of the season - all he had to do was to win the championship again! He set about the task and two league defeats over the season tells its own story. We won the title by five points from Norton AG. As a bonus to securing back to back championships, the team also won the Staffordshire FA Vase for the first time, again beating Norton AG in the final. Played at Newcastle Town, the match went to a penalty shoot out. Keeper Richard Johnson was only beaten once as the Eagles triumphed 4-1 on the evening. That season, goals were well spread across the team but the leading scorers were Martin Devaney (19), Mike Perry (12), Steve Hassall (12), Darren Alexander (10) and Adam Griffin (8).

It got better! Our second team under Mark Askey and Steve Dockerty were playing in the Staffordshire County League. This side had a considerable number of young players with a blend of experience. Having been near the top of the league all season, just like cream, they rose to the top when it mattered, beating Milton Rangers 3-0 in the final game to clinch the championship. They were also runners-up in the Leek Cup, having defeated three Springbank League sides on the way to the final. Again, goals were spread across the squad but the leading scorers that season were: Mark Grice (28), Mark Dockerty (26), Joe Salt (12), Adam Challinor (9) and Adam Griffin (9).

That season, we also had Under 18 and Under 16 teams. The Under 18s played in the County Minor Youth League Premier Division and finished runners-up to a very good Witton Albion team. However, they clinched the Sentinel Cup (another first for the club) at the Britannia Stadium with 'keeper Danny Edmondson picking up the Peter Buxton Memorial 'Man of the Match' award. The Under 16s (with current club committee member, Ernie Jackson as part of the management team) were playing in the Mid Staffs League and they managed to win the Staffordshire FA County Cup and the League Cup. For good measure, the team also progressed to the Sentinel Shield Final for the first time, again at the Britannia Stadium, and completed a notable 'double' for the club in beating Congleton Vale 2-1. Team member John Hancock picked up the 'Man of the Match' award on this occasion. Speaking to Alan Vickers, the Sentinel Competitions Chairman after the game, he suggested that the last time a club won both competitions in the same season was some 25 years earlier - a tremendous achievement.

The photo shows the trophies on display on the evening. Seven trophies for the club over the season - indeed, it was a memorable year for Eccleshall Football Club.