Northwich Victoria F.C.: Difference between revisions
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'''Northwich Victoria Football Club''' are an [[England|English]] [[association football|football]] club who play at the [[Victoria Stadium]] in [[Wincham]], [[Northwich]], [[Cheshire]] in the [[Conference North]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nonleaguefooty.co.uk/club_000102010202 | title=Northwich Victoria FC | accessdate=2010-02-27 }}</ref> the sixth tier of the [[English football league system]]. |
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Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of the reigning monarch at the time Queen Victoria.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.football.co.uk/northwich_victoria/information.shtml | title=Northwich Victoria Football Club }}</ref> They played at the same Drill Field ground for over 125 years, which at the time was believed to be the oldest ground in the world on which football had been continuously played,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/inside-football-drill-fields-disputed-place-in-record-books-1135127.html | title=Inside football: Drill Field's disputed place in record books | publisher=[[The Independent]] | date=1999-12-30 | accessdate=2010-02-25 }}</ref> however after a ground sharing period with local rivals [[Witton Albion F.C.|Witton Albion]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/3673054.stm | title=Vics face 10-point penalty | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=2004-09-27 | accessdate=2010-02-27 }}</ref> they started the new [[2005-06 in English football|2005-06]] season in their new stadium, the Victoria Stadium in [[Wincham]], just outside [[Northwich]] and across the [[Trent & Mersey Canal]] which separates them from their fierce local rivals [[Witton Albion]]. |
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==History== |
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Northwich were one of the founding members of the [[Football League Second Division|English Second Division]] in 1892, and played in the division until 1894.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/david-conn-business-bulldozer-runs-roughshod-over-victorian-values-at-northwich-533876.html | title=David Conn: Business bulldozer runs roughshod over Victorian values at Northwich | first=David| last=Conn | publisher=[[The Independent]] | date=2004-11-20 | accessdate=2010-02-25 }}</ref> After relegation from the league, they played in various regional leagues until joining the newly formed [[Cheshire County League]] after [[World War I]]. They won the title just once. In 1968 they became founder members of the [[Northern Premier League]]. In 1884, Northwich reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but were knocked out by [[Blackburn Olympic F.C.|Blackburn Olympic]]. The club's history, 'A Team for All Seasons', was written by the Club President, Ken Edwards, father of the novelist [[Martin Edwards (author)]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/inside-football-drill-fields-disputed-place-in-record-books-1135127.html | title=Inside football: Drill Field's disputed place in record books | publisher=[[The Independent]] | date=1999-12-30 | accessdate=2010-02-27 }}</ref> |
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The season 1976-77 warrants a special mention in the history of the club, being |
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their best FA Cup run in modern times. In November 1976 they beat [[Rochdale F.C.|Rochdale]] 2-1 in an FA Cup first round 2nd replay at [[Maine Road]], the then home of [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] after drawing 1-1 at [[Spotland Stadium|Spotland]] and 0-0 at home, beat [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] 4-0 in the 2nd round and beat [[Elton John|Elton John's]] [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] 3-2 in a pulsating cup tie at the Drill Field in the third round with Frank Corrigan securing an interview on [[Match of the Day]] for scoring the winner. All hopes of a dream draw in the 4th round were foundered when [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] at home came out of the hat. The match was moved to Maine Road to get more fans in and 29,000 witnessed the Vics going down 3-1. |
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During the same season Northwich and [[Boston United F.C.|Boston United]] were fighting it out for the Northern Premier League and Vics went to [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] on the last day of the season knowing a win won bring them the title. They drew 1-1 effectively handing the [[Lincolnshire]] side the title. |
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In 1979, Northwich were founder members of yet another league, when the Alliance Premier League (later the [[Football Conference]]) was formed, and were the last club to be ever-present in that league 1979-2005. They finished last in the [[2003-04 in English football|2003-04]] season and were slated for relegation to the [[Conference North]] division as part of the [[National League System]] restructuring, but circumstances including the bankruptcy of [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]], [[Hucknall Town F.C.|Hucknall Town's]] [[Watnall Road]] ground not being good enough and the demotion of [[Margate F.C.|Margate]] led to Northwich Victoria being allowed to remain at the Conference National level. In the [[2004-05 in English football|2004-05]] season, the team went into administration, and thus were deducted 10 points under National League rules, which left them in relegation trouble. However, the team recovered and finished in 19th place, nine points clear of the relegation zone (had they not had a points deduction, they would have finished 14th). Unfortunately for the Vics, this turned out to be for nothing, as they were voluntarily demoted from the Conference National due to legal problems (after going into administration they renamed the club Northwich Victoria 2005 and FA deadlines over the transfer of their Conference membership to the club's new owners were not met) (the alternative would have been outright expulsion from the Conference, which would have forced them into starting again in one of the lower regional divisions). |
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Following an impressive FA Cup run during the 2005-2006 season, in the penultimate game, the team beat their nearest rivals, [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]], in front of more than 3,000 supporters to guarantee an immediate return to the Conference National and see them as champions of the Conference North.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.thisischeshire.co.uk/2006/4/26/269576.html|title=Northwich go into administration |date=2006-04-26|work=This Is Cheshire|accessdate=2010-02-27}}</ref> |
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In October 2007 it was reported that the club was up for sale,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/7027602.stm Northwich owner wants to sell up] BBC Sport, 4 October 2007</ref> and that the club could fold due to an unpaid tax bill.<ref>[http://www.thisischeshire.co.uk/sport/cheshiresport/display.var.1740235.0.updated_vics_plunged_into_new_crisis.php Updated: Vics plunged into new crisis] This is Cheshire, 5 October 2007</ref> The club had applied to go into [[administration (law)|administration]] to stave off closure.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/7050791.stm Northwich set for administration] BBC Sport, 18 October 2007</ref> In December 2007 a consortium led by Jim Rushe completed a takeover, and Rushe became the chairman of the club.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/7131131.stm | title=Takeover secures Northwich future | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=2008-12-05 | accessdate=2009-01-17 }}</ref> The stadium is still owned by Connett's [[real estate]] company Beaconet Ltd. In January 2009 with Beaconet in [[receivership]], Connett removed safety equipment from the stadium, causing the club to move temporarily to [[Altrincham F.C.|Altrincham]]'s [[Moss Lane]] ground. Rushe's consortium is in the process of securing funding to buy the stadium.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/7833036.stm | title=Northwich locked out of stadium | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=2009-01-16 | accessdate=2009-01-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/vics/4052928.Rushe__Ground_takeover_nearly_done/ | title=Rushe: Ground takeover nearly done | first=Andrew | last=Simpson | work=Northwich Guardian | publisher=[[Newsquest Media Group]] | date=2009-01-16 | accessdate=2009-01-17 }}</ref> |
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On 19 May 2009 the club went into administration for the second time in five years following their relegation from the Conference National; they owe around £500,000 in unpaid bills to creditors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/8057130.stm|title=Northwich go into administration |date=2009-05-19|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=2009-05-19}}</ref> They were threatened with a double relegation to the [[Northern Premier League]] as a result of this, but ultimately won an appeal to be placed into the Conference North for the 2009-10 season. |
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In February 2010, the club played [[Romanian]] [[Europa League]] side [[FC Unirea Urziceni]] in a friendly warm-up game, which Northwich lost 1-0.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/sport/vics/news/5010748.Vics_hail_friendly_as_a_success/ | title=Liverpool's Europa League opponents edge friendly at Northwich Victoria | publisher=[[Northwich Guardian]] | date=2010-02-16 | accessdate=2010-02-25 }}</ref> |
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==FA Cup History== |
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In the 2005-2006 season, under the management of [[Steve Burr]], Northwich reached the FA Cup third round, and were drawn against Premier League side [[Sunderland FC|Sunderland]]. On 8th January 2006, Over 3,000 supporters travelled to the Stadium of Light. Northwich were defeated 3-0.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/sunderland-3-northwich-victoria-0-northwich-fail-to-roll-over-but-black-cats-luck-turns-522227.html | title=Sunderland 3 Northwich Victoria 0: Northwich fail to roll over but Black Cats' luck turns | publisher=[[The Independent]] | date=2006-01-09 | accessdate=2010-02-27 }}</ref> |
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On 24 October 2009, Northwich played [[FC United of Manchester]] in the [[FA Cup]] 4th Qualifying Round. Northwich won the game 3-0, a game which is seen by FC United as the most important in their history to date<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/sport/vics/news/4700238.We_believe_in_cup_upset__says_Rebels__boss/ | title=FC United of Manchester manager Karl Marginson is confident ahead of Vics trip | publisher=[[Northwich Guardian]] | date=2009-10-23 | accessdate=2010-02-25 }}</ref>. In the First Round proper, Northwich were drawn against former [[Premier League]] side [[Charlton Athletic]], which was televised live on [[ITV1]], providing much needed revenue for the club. Northwich won the game 1-0, with an 81st minute winner from Wayne Riley and a Man-of-the-match performance by Mat Bailey<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/nov/08/northwich-charlton-fa-cup-first | title=Wayne Riley seals FA Cup shock as Northwich down Charlton | publisher=[[The Guardian]] | date=2009-11-08 | accessdate=2010-02-25 }}</ref>. Northwich were then drawn against [[Lincoln City]], managed by former [[Blackburn Rovers]] and England international [[Chris Sutton]], which again was televised on ITV1. The game was played on 28th November, with Lincoln winning the game 3-1<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8379451.stm | title=Northwich 1-3 Lincoln City | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=2009-11-28 | accessdate=2010-02-25 }}</ref>. |
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==Players== |
==Players== |
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Revision as of 21:42, 7 March 2010
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| Full name | Northwich Victoria Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Vics, The Trickies | ||
| Founded | 1874 | ||
| Ground | Victoria Stadium Wincham Northwich | ||
| Capacity | 4,500 (1200 seated) | ||
| Chairman |  Jim Rushe (Owner)[1] | ||
| Manager | Andy Preece | ||
| League | Conference North | ||
| 2008–09 | Conference National, 22nd (relegated) | ||
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Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players
- Bruce Grobbelaar, goalkeeper for Liverpool during the 1980s and former national goalkeeper for Zimbabwe, made a single appearance for Northwich Victoria in the 1999-00 season.[4]
- Manchester City and Manchester United winger Billy Meredith also played for the club in the early 1890s.
- David Bardsley, former England defender ended his career at Northwich
Honours
- FA Trophy
- Winners 1984
- Conference North
- Champions 2005-06
- Cheshire County League
- Champions 1956-57
References
- ^ Simpson, Andrew (2009-01-02). "Rushe receives ground offer". Knutsford Guardian. Newsquest Media Group. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Northwich Victoria - 2008/09". FootballSquads.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
- ^ "Ebbsfleet bring in pair on loan". BBC News. 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
- ^ "Bruce Grobbelaar". Retrieved 2010-02-27.