Statistics

Match Summary
Biggest Home Win	5-0	06/09/16 v Cammell Laird 1907 (Premier Division)
Biggest Away Win	4-2	09/08/16 v Congleton Town (Premier Division)
Biggest Home Defeat	1-3	23/08/16 v Colne (The Emirates F.A Cup)
Biggest Away Defeat	1-4	13/08/16 v Squires Gate (Premier Division)
Highest Drawn Game	2-2	03/09/16 v Barnoldswick Town (A) (Premier Division)
		20/08/16 v Colne (A) (The Emirates F.A Cup)
Highest Aggregate Scoreline	6	09/08/16 4-2 v Congleton Town (A) (Premier Division)

 

League Season at a Glance
	Home		Away		Total
	#	%	#	%	#	%
Played	4		4		8
Won	4	100.00%	2	50.00%	6	75.00%
Drawn	0	0.00%	1	25.00%	1	12.50%
Lost	0	0.00%	1	25.00%	1	12.50%
Scored	14	3.50	9	2.25	23	2.88
Conceded	2	0.50	8	2.00	10	1.25

 

Progression in Cup Competitions
The Emirates F.A Cup	Preliminary Round Replay	1-3	Colne	(H)
The Macron Cup	1st Round	v	Padiham	(A)
	To be played on Sat 01/10/16

 

Home Attendance Summary
Highest Attendance	360	06/08/16 v Barnton (The Emirates F.A Cup)
Lowest Attendance	183	27/08/16 v AFC Darwen (Premier Division)
Average Attendance	6 games	246

 

Number of Games Since
Last Win	0 games
Last Defeat	5 games
Goalless Draw	0 games
Score Draw	2 games
Scored A Goal	0 games
Clean Sheet	1 game

 

Scored / Conceded This Season
	Scored		Conceded
	#	%	#	%
None	0	0.00%	3	27.27%
One	2	18.18%	3	27.27%
Two	5	45.45%	3	27.27%
Three	1	9.09%	1	9.09%
Four	2	18.18%	1	9.09%
Five or more	1	9.09%	0	0.00%

 

When the Goals Went In
	For		Against		Total
	#	%	#	%	#	%
0-15	4	14.29%	2	18.18%	6	15.38%
16-30	2	7.14%	1	9.09%	3	7.69%
31-45	3	10.71%	4	36.36%	7	17.95%
46-60	2	7.14%	1	9.09%	3	7.69%
61-75	3	10.71%	1	9.09%	4	10.26%
76-90	14	50.00%	2	18.18%	16	41.03%
90-105	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
105-120	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%

 

History

It is probably something of a misnomer to describe the next few paragraphs as a history of our football club. After all, by its very definition, the word ‘history’ suggests that 1874 Northwich have a proud and glorious past that stretches over many years and its supporters can look back over past campaigns – good and bad – with a great deal of pride, nostalgia and fondness.

But actually, nothing can be further from the truth! You see, 1874 has only been in existence since the night of Thursday 15th November 2012 when disillusioned members of the then Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust voted overwhelmingly to form a new fans-run and democratically operated club.

For those who backed the move it was a heart-breaking decision as they had followed ‘The Vics’ loyally for many years, worked selflessly for the club and had shared in all its highs and lows. But numerous off the field sagas and financial controversies – which culminated in the loss of the hugely impressive Victoria Stadium – eventually lead the majority to decide that they could no longer identify themselves with the club that they had once loved and that something radical had to be done.

There was an overwhelming desire to bring the game of football back as the central focus, to re-build links with the people and businesses of Northwich and to put control of this new club into the hands of those people who ultimately would have its best interests at heart – the fans.

In keeping with its democratic structure, the name of the new club was decided upon by the members and is a conscious reference to the once proud heritage of the club that followers of 1874 used to follow. In a similar way, the club crest and colours are both a nod to the past but they are also sufficiently different to make it clear to all that 1874 is something different, something new.

The months immediately after the clubs’ proved to be very busy as everyone worked hard to convince a number of key organisations that the club was a viable proposition and could successfully operate in the National Leagues System.

Early on the agenda was finding a home for the club and this was achieved in the March of 2013 when a two-year ground-share deal was brokered with neighbours Winsford United - an agreement that has been subsequently extended to cover the next two seasons. During the same week, the former Warrington, Winsford and Ashton Athletic boss Ian Street agreed to become 1874’s first manager and he quickly started to assemble a playing squad that would be capable of competing in the First Division.

A few weeks later, following an hour-long interview by the FA at St George’s Park, the news came through that 1874’s application to join the First Division of the North West Counties League had been accepted and at last we were a bona-fide football club!

The next major landmark came on the evening of Wednesday 10 July 2013 when 1874 played their first ever game against local side Lostock Gralam. Prior to this game, there was still a nagging doubt amongst many members whether we had “done the right thing” and if the fledgling outfit would be able to attract sufficient support needed to make the new club a viable proposition.

We needn’t have worried.

For on that warm and balmy July evening, just short of 400 fans - the majority of who proudly sported the kit and colours of the new club - turned out to see the start of something different, something new and, most importantly, something that they had a direct say in!

The first game ended in a 3-1 win for 1874 and better was to come three days later when in the club picked up its first trophy in only its second game by beating fellow fans-run club AFC Rushden and Diamonds 3-0 to lift the Supporters Direct Shield – a success that was highlighted on the front page of ‘The Non-League Paper’; Not bad for an eight-month old club!

Just under a month later 1874 staged its first competitive fixture when Oldham Boro visited the Barton Stadium. Just under 500 fans turned up to see a little bit of history being made and although they didn’t see their team start with a win - the game ended 1-1 - the sheer joy and enthusiasm for ‘their’ club that was demonstrated that afternoon was both obvious and abundant.

This level of support wasn’t a flash in the pan either as during our first season 1874’s average home league attendance was 320 – which put the club in the top 100 best supported clubs in non-league football. This total was boosted by the then record breaking attendance of 541 who flocked into the Barton Stadium in early October for the fans-lead ‘Bring a Mate Day’ initiative.

On the park, things were as impressive as Ian Street’s men hit the top spot in mid-October and remained in the thick of the promotion race until the very last week of the season. However, there was to be no fairytale ending to the clubs’ first campaign as previous seasons’ champions Formby pipped Ian Street’s side to the second promotion spot on goal difference.

But just as we had resigned ourselves to a second season playing First Division football, news came through about the sudden and unfortunate demise of Formby and as a result the league management committee asked 1874 if we would be prepared to step up into the Premier Division – an offer that was readily accepted!

1874’s unexpected elevation was met with a great deal of excitement but also some trepidation. After all, would the fledgling club be able to hold their own at the higher level against so many well established Premier Division clubs?

Again, our concerns proved to be unfounded.

Whilst retaining the bulk of the squad who had served the club so well during its inaugural campaign, ‘Streety’ made several judicious and well-judged additions to the squad and from the very outset of the campaign it was clear that 1874 were going to be amongst the top-six. As it transpired, the side finished in a hugely creditable third spot – which was way beyond the expectations of the vast majority of fans. Along the way, several other notable milestones were achieved, including the clubs’;

• First ever appearance in the World’s oldest and most famous knock-out competition – the FA Cup
• Record victory – the 9-0 mauling of Wigan Robin Park in the FA Vase on October 5 2014
• Best FA Vase Run – to the Third Round
• Highest home crowd – 563 against Runcorn Linnets on 23 September 2014

In addition, 1874 became the only club to record a league ‘double’ against the all-conquering Glossop North End side that not only lifted the NWFCL title and League Cup, but also reached the FA Vase Final.

Off the field, things have also progressed very well. For instance, both supporters and players have enjoyed a number of other well attended social events including race nights, bowls competitions, fans forums as well as the two end of year presentation dinners – both of which have attracted over 100 supporters, players and back-room staff. Added to this is the ever popular 1874 Beer Festival which draws an attendance of over 300 and raises over £3000 for the club! A 300+ club has also been established and the money generated from this initiative will helps reduce the clubs reliance on gate receipts as its principal source of income.

The club has also started to develop, build and nurture relationships with a number of key stakeholders. For instance, well respected local company Britannia Carpets have recently agreed to extend their original two-year sponsorship deal for another 24 months. Just weeks later the news broke that the Winsford based Neuromuscular Centre – which provides a range of unique services and specialist advice for adults with Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular conditions – was to become the clubs’ charity partner for at least the 2015/16 season.

And looking to the future, a Stadium Development Sub-Committee has also been formed with the remit of finding 1874 a permanent home in or close to Northwich whilst the 2015/16 season will also see the club run an U21 side - which hopefully we be a stepping stone towards the creation of other sides covering all age groups, gender and abilities.

So, all in all, it has been a remarkable period of time since 1874 was born and everyone connected with the club are delighted with the massive progress we have made in such a short space of time. With our third season now upon us, we can proudly say that we have achieved what we set out to create – a sustainable, democratic, fans-run and community-focussed club that we and the town of Northwich can be justifiably proud of.

But we cannot – and do not intend to – sit on our laurels. The club is determined to continue to develop and progress, albeit in a sustainable and stable manner which will allow the club to grow and meet its stated aims and objectives.

The 2015/16 season will no doubt be as challenging but as exciting and exhilarating as our first two campaigns and it is one that everyone associated with 1874 is looking forward with great relish excitement.

Bring it on!