Northwich Victoria

Northwich Victoria FC is a non-league football club from the Cheshire town of the same name, who are accepted to have been formed in 1874 by Charles James Hughes and James Heyworth; originally playing both association and rugby football in early challenge matches.

The clubs first competitive football came in the Welsh Cup; where they finished as runners-up to Druids in 1881-82 and then as beaten finalists once again in 1888-89 against Bangor with both finals taking place at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.

In 1883-84 season saw the club reach the last eight of the FA Cup where they were eliminated 9-1 by Blackburn Olympic. The Vics lifted the first Cheshire Football Association Challenge Cup in 1880 and went on to retain the trophy for the next five years. The trophy was awarded to the club.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

In 1890 the club became founder members in the local Combination league before amalgamating with Hartford and Davenham United. The Cheshire Challenge Cup; which had been awarded to the club for their feats, was given to the Brunner Public Library in the town following the merger.

Vics progressed and became founder members of League Division Two and turning professional at their Drill Field home. Future Manchester United, Manchester City and Wales superstar Billy Meredith was signed from Chirk as the team held Woolwich Arsenal at Drill Field as well as defeating Newcastle United 5-3, with Meredith netting a hat-trick.

The financial burden was too much for Northwich, who resigned from the League at the completion of the 1893-94 campaign. The season also saw Vics reach the second round of the FA Cup, where they went out at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers.

Northwich returned to The Combination before entering the newly formed Cheshire League in 1898; where they remained for two seasons. Victoria joined the Manchester League for the 1900-01 season; going on to be crowned as league champions in 1902-03.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

The club changed league’s to join the Lancashire Combination in 1912-13, where they won promotion from Division Two title at the first attempt. Northwich Victoria became founder members of the Cheshire County League in 1919.

The Vics finished as Cheshire County League runners-up in 1947-48 before the team reached the FA Cup first round in 1955-56 before losing out to Boston United; and then becoming league champions in 1956-57 under manager Jack Boothway.

In 1961-62 Northwich once again reached the first round of the FA Cup; going out 1-0 to Southport at Haig Avenue. The club continued to ply their trade in the Cheshire County League before becoming founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968-69.

The team generally weighed in with top half finishes, but came close to lifting the title in 1976-77 under manager Paul Ogden, when the team ended as runners-up to Boston United on goal difference. However, the fans had plenty to cheer about in the FA Cup.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Wins against Nantwich Town, Witton Albion, Rhyl and Burton Albion propelled Vics into the first round. Rochdale were dispatched in a second replay at Maine Road before Peterborough United and then Watford were defeated at Drill Field.

The fourth round ‘home’ tie was switched to Manchester City’s Maine Road to accommodate a crowd of 29,000 who saw Oldham Athletic end the heroic run with a 3-1 victory.

Northwich Victoria became founder members of the Alliance Premier League; which would later be retitled as the Football Conference and then National League, for the 1979-80 season, as Vics reached the second round of the FA Cup; losing out to Wigan Athletic in a replay at Springfield Park.

In 1980-81 another first round FA Cup appearance ended in defeat in a replay at Leeds Road to Huddersfield Town. The following campaign saw a semi-final appearance in the FA Trophy; where Enfield ended dreams of a trip to Wembley under the leadership of John King.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

The 1982-83 season was to be memorable in cup competition. In the FA Cup a first round win against Chester in a home replay led to a second round tie at The Old Show Ground, which Scunthorpe United won 2-1.

In the FA Trophy wins against Kidderminster Harriers, Croydon, Bangor City, Blyth Spartans and Dagenham took Vics all the way to Wembley; where they ended up as runners-up following a 2-1 defeat to Telford United.

However, the club were determined to lift the famous trophy. Victories the following season over Boston United, Aylesbury United, Dulwich Hamlet, Barnet and Marine set up a final against Bangor City. The Wembley encounter ended 1-1, but Northwich won the replay 2-1 at the Victoria Ground, Stoke.

King departed to take over at Tranmere Rovers. Terry Murphy took the team to an FA Cup second round appearance against Wigan Athletic after Crewe Alexandra had been defeated at the previous stage.

Making way for the new Dane Bank Stand at The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Former England internationals Mike Pejic and then Sturat Pearson were the next managers of the club. Under Pearson the club was hit with player unavailability for the match against leaders Maidstone United; with only eight to pick from.

The manager wanted to take to the field short handed, but three supporters were signed on emergency forms to make up the numbers; one of whom had already had a couple of pints and a pie. Vics somehow drew the game 1-1 with another international; Gordon Hill in the team.

Cliff Roberts arrived to take over team affairs in 1987, with Northwich defeating Colwyn Bay before losing to Blackpool at Drill Field in the second round of the FA Cup in 1987-88. The following campaign saw the side reach the same stage. Tranmere Rovers won the second round tie in front of the Vics home faithful.

Another first round tie followed in 1989-90 against Darlington before Martin Dobson and then Sammy McIlroy took over the manager’s role. John Williams was the next incumbent of the position in 1993, with his side reaching the first round of the FA Cup in 1994-94; where they played Mansfield Town.

The old Dane Bank Side at The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Brian Kettle had taken over when Vics were defeated in the Cup first round to Scunthorpe United in 1995-96 and again at the same stage against Walsall the following season.

Former player Phil Wilson was appointed as manager in 1996 as Northwich reached Wembley once again for another FA Trophy Final; which ended in a 3-1 defeat to local rivals Macclesfield Town.

Wilson’s team went out in the FA Cup first round to Chesterfield in 1997-98, while the club looked to sell Drill Field despite the recent erection of the large Dane Bank Stand. It was claimed that the famous old ground struggled to comply with modern requirements.

Wilson was replaced by Mark Gardiner, who in turn departed for the arrival of Keith Alexander who steered the club to a second round replay defeat at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup after previously disposing of Bury.

Demolition begins at The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Alexander departed to return to Lincoln City as Director of Football as Northern Irish international Jimmy Quinn took over; while the club left their historic home in 2002 to move into the Wincham Park ground of cross town rivals Witton Albion, while a new stadium was built nearby to Albion’s home; a couple of miles out of town and on an industrial estate.

Money became a real issue at Victoria as they struggled to complete the over ambitious new stadium; which was dependent on a bar and restaurant to fund the club going forward. Steve Davis and Alvin McDonald had short reigns as manager before former Aston Villa star Shaun Teale took over.

Northwich Victoria FC was sold to Manchester night club owner Mike Connett after the club entered into Administration, as Steve Burr became manager in 2004 after the team had been reprieved of relegation because of financial troubles at other clubs a few months earlier.

The club took voluntary relegation to Conference North at the end of the 2004-05 season, thus avoiding further penalties ascertaining to their financial situation. The newly titled Victoria Stadium was completed and opened; including the old Dane Bank Stand from Drill Field.

Demolition of The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Burr led the team to the Conference North title in 2005-06 as well as reaching the third round of the FA Cup following wins in the ‘proper’ rounds over Morecambe and Woking. The run ended with a 2-0 defeat at The Stadium of Light against Sunderland.

Burr departed to be replaced by Neil Redfearn as the clubs future was once again put in doubt because of an unpaid tax bill. Connett sold the club to another ‘businessman’ Jim Rushe; while the Victoria Stadium became under the ownership of Connett’s real estate company Beaconet Ltd.

Rushe promised fans that the sale of the stadium back to the club was imminent as Paul Warhurst and then Dino Maamria were the latest appointments in the role as manager as the conveyer belt continued to roll.

Brighton & Hove Albion hammered Vics at Withdean Stadium in the FA Cup first round in 2006-07; before Oxford United ended the Cup run at the same stage the following season. Mike Marsh and then Steve King became the next managerial appointees as Vics were relegated once again.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Andy Preece was installed as player-manager with the club competing in Conference North while entering Administration for a second time with £500,000 of outstanding bills. Only an appeal to the authorities saves the club from further demotion to the Northern Premier League.

Preece’s side battled gamely and defeated Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup at Victoria Stadium before going out 3-1 at home to Lincoln City in round two. The team ended the season in a mid table finish but were relegated to the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League.

During this period Connett removed safety equipment from Victoria Stadium, leaving Northwich to have to use Altrincham’s Moss Lane for a couple of fixtures; while the FA withheld the TV and FA Cup prizemoney from the previous year.

Preece stabilised on the field matters before departing with his managerial team to take over similar roles at Airbus UK in January 2012; with Paul Simpson and then Martin Foyle taking over as team manager.

The Drill Field; pic Andy Dakin

Northwich were served with an eviction notice to leave the Victoria Stadium as a buyer, later to be revealed as chemical manufacturer Thor Specialities Ltd, had bough the site from the receivers following Connett’s bankruptcy. The large portion of supporters of the club began to become extremely upset.

The team ended up in second place at the completion of the 2011-12 campaign, but were refused entry into the play-offs. The Northern Premier League expelled the club; before the FA ruled the punishment too excessive and placed them in Division One South.

Andy Mutch was appointed as the new manager as the club decamped to play their home games forty miles south at the Marston Road home of Stafford Rangers. Many fans including those belonging to the Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust boycotted games in total dismay.

Mutch was replaced by Lee Ashcroft in December 2012 as gates plummeted with only 86 spectators attending the ‘home’ defeat to Stamford AFC. At the end of the season the club were moved to Division One North following another change of home ground.

Valley Road, Fixton

Rushe had bought the lease of Valley Road; the old home of Flixton FC on the outskirts of Manchester. Vics were given permission to move in, after work had just about brought it up to the required standard.

Meanwhile, disenfranchised supporters belonging to the Supporters Trust voted to start their own separate club at a meeting in November 2012. 1874 Northwich were accepted into the North West Counties League for the 2013-14 season, and can be read about here.

Manager Ashcroft was given a ten match stadium ban for inappropriate behaviour in December 2013 and was replaced by Jim Gannon. Vics were actually enjoying some fortune on the pitch, if not off it, as new signings arrived at the club.

Chairman Jim Rushe was banned from the club after failing the FA’s owners and directors test, with his son Martin becoming the clubs sole shareholder.

Valley Road, Fixton

The 2014-15 season saw Northwich finish in fourth place before losing in the semi-final of the play-offs away to Bamber Bridge. The club agreed a three year ground share deal as tenants to Witton Albion at Wicham Park once again.

The 2015-16 season saw Victoria go on a fine FA Cup run to the first round proper where Boreham Wood were defeated after a replay. In the second round the team were leading 2-0 in the closing stages away to Northampton Town before collapsing to a 3-1 defeat.

Gannon’s side continued to perform in the league and finished in third place to qualify for the play-offs. A semi-final win against Glossop North End saw the club ninety minutes from promotion, but they missed out after defeat away to Spennymoor Town.

Vics were transferred back to Division One South before Gannon departed in January 2016 to take over his previous role at Stockport County to be replaced by Adam Lakeland. The new manager was hindered off field complications, low support and another financial crisis.

The Victoria Stadium; pic Andy Dakin

Former owner Jim Rushe was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court in June 2016 for his role in a £5M cocaine supply plot. Martin Rushe remained at the club with his shares being later handed over to the supporters.

Northwich finished bottom of the table in 2016-17 and relegated to the North West Counties League as the club was deducted ten points for entering Administration for a third time. Lakeland departed to be replaced by Paul Moore.

The sharing agreement with Witton was ended as Vics moved in as tenants to neighbours Barnton FC at their Townfield ground; while the club were fortunate to be placed in the Premier Division at the NWCFL AGM following a club vote regarding their financial status.

The actual ownership of the club was still not clear, as the club claimed that they were a fans owned club. A dubious appeal that was to secure the future of the club raised enough finances to keep them going.

The Dane Bank Stand reassembled at The Victoria Stadium; pic Andy Dakin

Moore left the club in September 2017 after apparently using personal funding to assist, with Steve Wilkes arriving from Padiham in his place.

Northwich Victoria FC will play in the North West Counties League Premier Division in the 2017-18 season.

My visit

Saturday 1st November 1986

My only visit to either of Victoria's grounds in Northwich came on a bit of a road trip from Scarborough with my Cardiff City supporting friend, Gary Griffiths.

We had been to watch his beloved Bluebirds at Halifax Town the previous evening before staying overnight with some of his old university pals in Levenshulme on the outskirts of Manchester.

The next day were heading to Sealand Road for the Third Division match between Chester and Walsall; but on route we'd already stopped at a locked Edgeley Park in Stockport in the hope of having a look inside and for my pal to add to his photo collection.

We headed south west to Northwich and parked on Water Street before walking up to Drill Field; which was thankfully open so that we could have a look inside.

The Main Stand was a raised seated cantilever structure with open terracing either side. Opposite was the original Dane Bank cover in the centre of a large terracing. Both narrow ends had basic covers protecting the standing spectators.

The ground looked good enough to me for a club of Vics size; especially when the new Dane Bank Stand provided cover for all standing fans a few years later. Just why did the directors decide to sell this lovely old town centre ground?

We departed and had a short drive across town, where we were fortunate to gain access into The Central Ground; the home of neighbours Witton Albion at the time before they also opted for an out of town location.


Many thanks to fellow groundhopper and former Vics fan Andy Dakin for providing most of the photos on this page.