Cables and ties: Industrial history and footballing tradition at Prescot Cables.

Words: Laura Gates

Images: Laura Gates

Shot on Hanalogital leak film.

In the heart of Prescot, a town steeped in industrial history and footballing tradition, there’s a fan-owned club that has endured plenty of highs and lows.

Prescot Cables isn’t just a football club—it’s a key part of the Merseyside town’s heritage, drawing its name from the nearby British Insulated Cables works in the 19th Century.

Since its formation in 1884, the club has carved out a place for itself in the community, which is impressive given how easy it would be to follow Everton or Liverpool instead.

Prescot Cables may play in the Northern Premier League, but their roots run much deeper than the pitch. The town’s blue-collar soul is embedded in the very DNA of the club.

It’s a place where generations of families have grown up watching their team, where fathers pass on their love for the Cables to their sons and daughters, and where a Saturday afternoon game is as much about community as it is about football.

©Laura Gates/ Terrace Edition. Prescot Cables vs Hyde United.

There’s a reason people from all walks of life continue to show up, week after week, to watch their team play. Prescot Cables is a club that feels like home. Whether you’re a regular, a groundhopper, or looking for some local football, you’re welcomed with open arms.

You’ll get a friendly welcome at the gates and lively chatter in the Cables Bar.

In an age when so many football clubs have become detached from their local areas, Cables stand as a reminder of what it means to be part of something bigger than just a match.

The volunteers that help run the club—many of whom are locals themselves—are a vital part of what makes the club tick.

Yet, it’s not just locals that love Cables. Listen out for that American twang on the tannoy when they score.

It’s this sense of belonging, of being part of something larger than themselves, that sets Prescot Cables apart.

The club is more than just a team on a pitch. It’s a reflection of the town it represents. Affectionately known as “The Pesky Bulls”: A nickname that has evolved over time and reflects both the club’s identity and its spirit.

“Pesky”, which conveys the idea of being troublesome or persistent, a nod to the club’s never-say-die attitude on the pitch.

It represents the team’s ability to be a constant challenge to their opponents—stubborn and difficult to break down.

In the world of football, where clubs often lose touch with their roots, they’re a shining example of how a team can be the beating heart of its community.