1874 Northwich prospects for next season excite new boss Ian Street

THE FIRST ever manager of 1874 Northwich Ian Street is looking forward to building a squad ahead of the fan-run clubs inaugural campaign.

In comments made after his appointment last Monday following an interview, the former Winsford coach said he is “very much excited” at the prospect of putting together a team that supporters can all be proud of.

With his appointment coming at the end of the season, Street has been using the extra time to pencil in pre-season fixtures and make a number of enquiries into players joining the club – receiving some positive responses.

“I feel proud and honoured to have been asked to fill the position at the club and to put together a team that we can all be proud of.

“We no doubt will have our ups and downs and different opinions on things during the season but as long as we all stay patient, loyal and respectful to each other I am sure there are some really good times ahead”, said Street.

Street, who has also managed for the likes of Warrington Town and Witton Albion and featured for Wigan and Chorley in his playing days, had a special mention for the fans of the new club.

“I would firstly like to say thank you for all the encouraging messages on the forum regarding my appointment as the first ever football manager of 1874 Northwich FC.

“I look forward to getting to know as many of the people involved with the club as I can, and feel free to have a chat and ask any questions.

“Onwards and upwards.”

A date for supporters to meet their new manager is being penned in for the coming weeks.

New Northwich boss Ian Street showing off some of the clubs new merchandise.

Picture: http://1874trust.com/trust-news/1874-newsletters

Street confirmed as first ever 1874 Northwich FC manager

FORMER Winsford United manager Ian Street has accepted the position as the new manager of 1874 Northwich FC.

The appointment, following interviews the previous week and last evening, was announced to supporters in the fan-run club’s newsletter.

Street is most recognised for his stint as manager of Winsford, leaving his role as assistant to take over first-team duties after Chris Wilcock resigned as the Blues boss in early 2011.

Under the guidance of Street for the remainder of the season, Winsford won the North West Counties Football League Challenge Cup, beating New Mills in the final.

Street then managed the team for the entirety of the 2011/2012 season, guiding them to 7th position.

The well-known figure in the non-league scene has also previously managed at St Helens, Atherton LR, Warrington Town and Witton Albion, before taking up his latest role at Ashton Athletic in June 2012, where he departed in November.

In his playing days, Street played for Wigan Athletic in the 1980s under Roy Tunks, and then he had spells at Chorley and Horwich RMI, before working under Derek Brownbill at Bamber Bridge and Curzon Ashton.

Street is looking forward to taking up the reins at 1874 Northwich in the very near future.

New 1874 Northwich manager Ian Street.

Photo: nonleague.pitchero.com

Former Vics assistant to attend social evening

ANDY Morrison will be the guest in a fans event at Lostock Social Club on Monday 22 April.

The former Manchester City player, who was the right-hand man under Andy Preece at Northwich Victoria for three seasons from 2009 to 2012 before the pair joined Welsh Premier League outfit Airbus UK, will answer supporters questions.

“Come and listen to Andy Morrison talk about everything concerning football, and he does have some experiences.

“This promises to be a night not to be missed”, said social committee chairman Toddy Barlow.

Morrison, who has a book called The Good, the Mad and the Ugly, will also make the April 200 club draw.

Fans can join the 200 club for £4 per month by downloading an application pack on the following link http://1874trust.com/commercial/200-club.

Trust call for an increase in membership

FANS of 1874 Northwich have been urged to play their part in driving up Trust numbers.

The move comes after an announcement confirmed the membership has gone past the 200 mark.

“We are most grateful for your continued support and we would also like to ask you to try and help us increase the membership further by spreading the word to your work colleagues, family and neighbours”, said the Trust board.

The current membership options are bronze membership for £10 per year, and silver membership for £10 per month, but members have taken to the club’s message board with ideas on how to increase the amount and make the hospitality packages better.

The user Vicktor, said: “A paid for article in the Guardian would attract publicity, leaflets circulated to all houses in the area, the use of social media, a cross check of the 200 club, a look at how other Trusts approached increasing the membership, a junior 1874 club and a junior football team, would all be great ideas.

“I know the board are busy but this has to be a priority area.”

Whilst the user Kit called for more incentives for fans to join silver membership, when he said: “I would like to know the percentage of the membership that is bronze and silver.

“I know these are tough times but if more people could be encouraged to pay the £10 a month, this could go a long way towards paying rent for the next few years.”

In the past, silver members could hire private boxes at the Victoria Stadium, but currently there are no such facilities.

“The membership details will be assessed soon, we are looking at several incentives for silver membership and also some ideas for a gold membership.

“Until we are actually playing we can’t offer much in the way of “hospitality” packages, but we have some ideas with regards to “offers” for members that will be announced soon”, added secretary Chris Borley.

Details concerning membership can be obtained from membership secretary Tony Fallows at: 1874 Northwich FC, c/o 288 London Road, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 8DX or by e-mailing: trust@1874northwich.com

There are now more than 200 Trust members.

Son to run 10k in memory of dad

A SON who lost his dad will take part in the Great Manchester 10k run to raise money for a diabetes charity.

Will Wilson and his friend Aaron will fundraise for Diabetes UK, a charity that father and life-long Vics fan, Pete Wilson used to support, as he too had diabetes.

Will, who will participate in the event with an expected 40,000 other people on Sunday 26 May, said: “Any contribution will be very much appreciated.

“I’m fairly sure he’ll still be watching on but now as an 1874 fan.”

In an act of good-will, the 1874 Northwich FC Supporters Trust also agreed to donate £50 to Diabetes UK.

Donations in memory of Pete can be made by following the link http://www.justgiving.com/Will-Azz.

Friendly fixture confirmed against fellow fan-run club

1874 Northwich have announced an eye-catching pre-season clash against supporters owned AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

The encounter between hosts 1874, formed last November, and AFC Rushden and Diamonds, founded in July 2011, will take place at their Barton Stadium home on Saturday 13 July, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

Both clubs operate using the increasingly popular fan ownership model lauded by Supporters Direct.

The Trust boards of both football clubs issued a statement, part of which said:

“July’s friendly will be an excellent opportunity for both sets of supporters to meet their counterparts and further build upon what is already a strong relationship between the two football clubs, and one that will hopefully last for many generations to come.

“The match will also be an excellent demonstration of exactly what supporter groups can achieve when they work together, as well as highlighting the many benefits that fan ownership carries in terms of building a sustainable future.”

AFC Rushden & Diamonds, playing in their first season of senior football, are currently pushing for promotion from the ChromaSport and Trophies United Counties League Division One.

Meanwhile, 1874 Northwich, are due to attend an FA interview at St Georges Park in Burton on 22 April as part of a bid to play in the North West Counties Football League Division One.

Fellow supporters owned club AFC Rushden and Diamonds will visit the Barton Stadium.

New club set to attend FA interview over league application

1874 NORTHWICH will meet FA officials to further support the new club’s application to enter the North West Counties League Division One.

Trust board members of the fans-run club – which was formed in November, will make their case to join step 6 in non-league football’s pyramid system during an interview at St Georges Park in Burton on 22 April.

The outcome of the interview will not be known until after the FA Leagues Committee has met on 17 May to finalise non-league’s structure for the 2013/14 season.

“Many steps have to be taken along our exciting journey and this particular step is vital to continue our progress” said chairman Paul Stockton.

“Nothing can be taken for granted in this situation but as I understand there is space for four teams in the North West Counties League Division One and there have only been three applications to join the league for next season”, added Stockton.

The club will be represented at the meeting by Stockton, treasurer John Coats and board member James Wood.