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The lowdown on Leigh RMI

Last updated : 03 October 2004 By Steve Pennington
LEIGH RAILWAY MECHANICS INSTITUTE

Leigh RMI
First ever trip to Leigh for United
Leigh RMI as the name suggests has its origins in the railway industry and ironically has its home in a town without and never had a railway station. The club was formed in 1892 as a social club for the large productive railway works at Horwich hence its name railway mechanics Institute. The team progressed over the years and in the late 1960’s became independent of the works, which was reducing in size and closing down.

The now independent Horwich RMI realised that with its limited Grundy Hill ground it could not progress past the then Northern Premier league (now Unibond 1st division) and they purchased Hilton Park from the receiver and the Unibond granted permission to move providing the RMI name was retained.

In 1995 Horwich RMI became Leigh RMI and that stage were in the Unibond 1st division and the season after saw promotion to the premier division as champions and in 2000 we were promoted to the then Vauxhall Conference.

We have had some success in the FA cup. We drew away to Kevin Keegan’s Fulham only to lose out in a very close encounter at Hilton Park 2-0. This game also gave us our highest attendance to date of over 7000.

This year we have a very different team from the one which performed so badly last season. Our manager Phil Starbuck brought in a new team with plenty of league and Conference experience. Although we have not perhaps got the points we deserve from our games so far we have not been over run by any team this season. Aldershot, Hereford and York thought themselves fortunate to get some points from an improving RMI. We are all looking forward to the first ever visit of Carlisle to Hilton Park on Tuesday 5th October. A friendly and warm welcome awaits you all.

Directions to Hilton Park.

M6 TO M61 JUCTION 5. A58. Go under the motorway onto duel carriageway, then traffic Island. Take second exit to traffic lights and turn left. Follow road to next set of traffic lights and turn left and then sharp right (dog leg). Then at the next lights turn right along new bypass and then left again at the traffic lights. B&Q and the ground are now in sight. For the free car park go past B&Q to lights and then turn right and first right again after quickfit. The ground is at the bottom of the road turn left into car park. The away supporters entrance is near the Asda end of the ground.

FOOD AND DRINK.

We have an excellent catering service which provides food before the match and at half time. Hot beef Barms, Bacon Barms, Burgers, Chips, Chicken Nuggets, Chicken curry and more are all provided at a very reasonable price. These can be found under the long stand in the bar which sells good beer to wash it all down with. There is also kiosk on the ground for your use.

All information supplied by Steve Pennington Editor Footymad Leigh RMI FC.