NANTWICH TOWN FC UNITED of MANCHESTER - vs
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NANTWICH TOWN
vs
FC UNITED of MANCHESTER
SATURDAY 12TH MARCH 2022
KICK OFF 3.00PM
CLUB DETAILS & HONOURS
Nantwich Town Football Club Limited CLUB HONOURS
Company Limited by Guarantee
Company No: 0732 8670
The Optimum Pay Stadium,
LEAGUE COMPETITION:
Waterlode, Nantwich, CW5 5BS Cheshire County League
Telephone: 01270 621771 Champions – 1980/81
County Affiliation: Cheshire FA
Year Formed: 1884 Mid-Cheshire League
Champions – 1963/64
At the Top Runners-Up – 1950/51, 1961/62, 1964/65
President: Frank Blunstone
Chairman: Jon Gold Crewe Amateur Combination League
Vice-Chairman: John Dunning Champions – 1946/47
Directors: Mark Hawkins, John Dunning,
Clive Jackson, Dave Clapp, Dan Cheshire League
Dunning-Cole, Tim Crighton, Gordon Division One Runners Up – 1900/01
McKinnon
Company Secretary: John Dunning Shropshire & District League
Runners-Up – 1891/92
Football Officials
Manager: Dave Cooke Manchester League
Assistant Manager: Jay Bateman Runners-Up – 1966/67
First Team Coach Mentor: Nigel Deeley
Goalkeeper Coach: Keiron Clarke Northern Premier League
Head Physio: Callum Carey Div 1 South – Play-Off Winners – 2007/08
Physio: Pete Williams Premier Division Play-Off Final – 2008/09
Kit Manager: Jason Clarke
CUP COMPETITION:
Behind the Scenes Cheshire Senior Cup Winners – 1932/33,
Club Secretary: Carl Thorpe 1975/76, 2007/08, 2011/12, 2017/18,
Match Day Secretary: Gary Richardson 2018/19
Business Manager: Emma Crossan
Press Officers: Jack Beresford, Liam FA Vase Winners – 2005/06
Price, Adam Bateman
Club Photographer: Jonathan White FA Trophy Semi Finalist – 2015/16
Groundsman: TBC
Stadium & Safety Officer: Bob Melling FA Cup First Round – 2011/12, 2017/18,
2019/20
Social Networks:
Twitter: @TheDabbers North West Counties League Cup
Facebook: /nantwichtownfc Winners – 1994/95
YouTube: Nantwich Town FC
Instagram: officialnantwichtownfc Mid Cheshire League Cup Winners –
1961/62, 1963/64
WELCOME TO NANTWICH TOWN A very warm welcome to everyone to The Optimum Pay Stadium this afternoon, including the supporters, players, management and Directors of our visitors, FC United of Manchester. The Dabbers enter this tough fixture on the back of 2 crucial victories which have put us 6 points clear of the automatic relegation places. Since Dave Cooke has brought in some fresh blood particularly the loan players we have seen a major upturn in fortunes and performances and we look to continue that in the weeks ahead and hopefully make the end of the season more enjoyable. On to today, FC United will no doubt bring a good compliment it’s been a long time since our visitors have been on a Saturday to Nantwich and I hope their fans enjoy the time they spend in our lovely market town today. On another note, the funeral of Kevin Hammersley will take place on Monday 14th March at 2pm at Acton Church, Nantwich for those wish to pay their respects to Kevin It’s going to be an interesting afternoon, with lots of twists and turns to come, with an eye on other results as well. Enjoy the match and the online programme this afternoon and Up the Dabbers! Carl Thorpe Club Secretary & Programme Editor
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER - MATCH PREVIEW After back to back 1-0 wins at home, another tough test looks in store for the Dabbers as we host FC United this Saturday (3pm kick-off). FC Town of Nantwich FC United have failed to win in their last 4 matches, losing momentum in their play- off push. They are currently 7th in the Northern Premier League, 4 points behind Warrington in 5th and they’ve also played at least a game more than the teams around them. Before this winless run, they had been on a spell of only one defeat in 11 that had pulled them up the table after a shaky first half of the season. Last Time Out: It was a great day out for the Dabbers in October, with a top team performance rewarded with a 2-0 win in Moston. A Sean Cooke penalty and a composed finish from Dan Cockerline proved decisive. Players to Watch FC retain a habit of being able to attract quality players from other teams in this division. Ewan Bange was a recent addition, signed from Bamber Bridge after netting 10 goals this season. They also poached Ali Waddecar from Bamber in the summer, and he has scored 2 in his last 4 from the wing. Regan Linney has also been in the goals recently. Match Information It’s strongly advised for home and away supporters to pre purchase tickets, due to expected high numbers of travelling fans from Manchester. And be around in the Atherton and Associates Suite for Dave Cooke’s pre-match chat with the Cat about half an hour before kick-off.
FC UNITED – BRIEF HISTORY IN TIME
CLUB INFO
Club Name: FC United of Manchester
Year Founded: 2005
Club Nickname: The Red Rebels
Current Ground: Broadhurst Park
Current Manager: Neil Reynolds
CUP HISTORY
Manchester Premier Cup: Winners – 2016/17, 2017/18
NWC Challenge Cup: Winners – 2006/07
NPL Presidents Cup: Winners – 2007/08
FA Cup: 2nd Round – 2010/11
FA Trophy: Quarter Finals – 2014/15
FA Vase: 3rd Round – 2006/07
LEAGUE HISTORY
NWC Division Two: Champions – 2005/06
NWC Division One: Champions – 2006/07
NPL Division One North: Playoff Winners – 2007/08
NPL Premier Division: Champions – 2014/15
LAST 5 LEAGUE SEASONS:
Season League POS PL W D L GF GA Pts
2016-17 NAT N 13/22 42 14 12 16 69 68 54
2017-18 NAT N 16/22 42 14 8 20 58 72 50
2018-19 NAT N 21/22 42 8 10 24 49 82 34
2019-20 NPL P ABAN 32 16 9 7 73 51 57 *
2020-21 NPL P ABAN 7 2 4 1 9 7 10 *
* 2019-20 & 2020-21 Season both curtailed due to COVID-19
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER - HISTORY In the summer of 2005, Malcolm Glazer completed his takeover of Manchester United. Within weeks a backdrop of supporter protest led to a breakaway group forming their own club, which eventually took the name of FC United of Manchester. The club was accepted into the North West Counties Football League Second Division and, eventually, Bury FC agreed to groundshare their Gigg Lane home. Karl Marginson was named as the first manager. On the opening day they won 5-2 at Leek CSOB, and by the end of the season they were celebrating title success and promotion to the NWCFL First Division. At the final home game of that season a North West Counties record crowd of 6,023 turn out at Gigg Lane to celebrate league glory against Great Harwood Town. The club’s second season saw FC United go from strength to strength as they once again wrapped up a title triumph, adding the League Cup to their collection as they moved on up from the North West Counties into the Northern Premier League first Division. The 2007-08 campaign saw FCUM finish second to Bradford Park Avenue, the Reds eventually went up via the Northern Premier’s First Division play-offs, defeating Skelmersdale at Gigg Lane to secure the club’s third consecutive promotion. The NPL President’s Cup was also added to the list of honours that year. In 2008-2009, FC missed narrowly missed out on the play-offs. Then the story of regular late surges into the Northern Premier play-offs was met with three consecutive final losses to Colwyn Bay in 2011 Bradford Park Avenue in 2012 and Hednesford Town in 2013. Although the 2010-11 season ended in play-off defeat for FC, Bonfire Night of 2010 produced the club’s greatest achievement to date when they knocked League One side Rochdale out of the FA Cup first round thanks to an injury-time Mike Norton goal securing a 3-2 success at Spotland. In the Second round the Reds took on Championship-bound Brighton & Hove Albion, earning a 1-1 draw on the south coast before a 4-0 replay defeat in front of a club-record 6,731 fans. After nine years at Gigg Lane, FC United moved to Stalybridge Celtic’s Bower Fold ground for the start of the 2014-15 campaign, whilst also playing a number of games at Curzon Ashton’s ground. And it was at the Tameside Stadium, where FC United finally put behind them the misery of previous Northern Premier play-off heartaches by wrapping up the title with a 1-0 victory against Stourbridge after 7 years in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division. The summer of 2015 also witnessed the much-anticipated opening of the club’s first ground at Broadhurst Park, opened with a game against a young Benfica side on 29th May 2015, with a sell-out 4,232 crowd watching the Portuguese side secure a late 1-0 win on a memorable night for the club.
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER - HISTORY The 2015-16 season saw FC United compete in the sixth tier of English football for the first time in their short history. The National League North campaign kicked-off with a close-fought defeat at Gloucester City on a sunny afternoon. George Thomson would go on to top FC's goalscoring charts as he inspired a second-half of the season revival which saw FC finally end the season in 13th position. The 2016-17 season saw consolidation in the National League North with a 13th placed final position. George Thomson was again the club’s leading goal scorer. The season ended on a high note with FC United’s first ever victory in the final of the Manchester Premier Cup. That match also saw Jerome Wright mark the completion of his career at FC United on his 400th appearance for the club. 2017-18 saw several changes, the most notable being Karl Marginson, manager since the club’s foundation in 2005, leaving the club in October. He was replaced by player, Tom Greaves, with his assistants being Jack Doyle and Tom Conroy. Soon after starting his managerial career, Tom scored his 100th goal for the club and so becoming the club’s all-time leading goal scorer. After flirting with relegation, the team finished 16th and retained the Manchester Premier Cup. Their 4 year stay in National League North came to an end in 2018-19, when 3 managers and 57 players were utilised in a turbulent campaign. Greaves left the club in August and following a period with David Chadwick as caretaker boss, Neil Reynolds was hired from Bamber Bridge in October, but a miserable record of one home League win all season was instrumental in a placing of 21st and a return to the Northern Premier League for 2019-20. During the summer of 2019 Neil Reynolds recruited almost an entirely new squad (only three players survived from the previous season) and after an underwhelming start (FC were bottom of the table after three matches), the 2019-20 season blossomed into the most enjoyable in years, FC were in second place in the league when the Northern Premier League season became another, relatively minor, casualty of the coronavirus pandemic and was brought to a premature close in mid-March with all results and goals expunged from the record books. This included the hatful of goals scored by Tunde Owolabi, who scored 35 goals in all competitions and was named the Northern Premier League’s player of the season. The 2020-21 season eventually kicked off in September but it lasted barely seven weeks, during which FC played only seven league games, before it ground to a halt in the first week of November as the second wave of the coronavirus forced a second national lockdown. But the FA Cup brought some excitement as wins against Pontefract Collieries, Curzon Ashton and Guiseley (and the forfeiture of a tie by an Alfreton Town side afflicted by Covid) took FC through to the first round proper of the cup for only the third time in its history. Unfortunately the subsequent first round tie at home to Doncaster Rovers of League One had to be played behind closed doors but it was a memorable occasion as, despite losing 5-1, the match was screened live by the BBC and watched by more than a million viewers.
FC UNITED – SQUAD & STAFF Dan Lavercombe - Goalkeeper DOB: 15/11/1996 Beginning his career with Exeter City at Under-16 level, Dan went on to Torquay United where he graduated to senior level. In January 2016 Lavercombe was signed by Wigan Athletic and was loaned back to the Gulls for the rest of the season. Further loan spells at Rhyl and Torquay followed and in August 2019 he switched to National League side AFC Fylde. Dan was released a year later and after impressing in pre-season FC United signed him in September 2020. Aaron Morris - Right back DOB: 10/06/1995 His first experience in adult football was at St. Helens Town in the North West Counties where he spent 2 years before moving to Runcorn Linnets where he has played for 3 years. Aaron was a fans favourite at Linnets and in 2018-19 was awarded the Supporters Club Player of the Year for the second time. Morris joined FC United in July 2019 and converted to playing at right back for much of 2019-20, adding attacking prowess to his defensive duties. Jack Gooden – Right Back DOB 15/06/2003 On Accrington Stanley’s book in his apprentice days, Gooden moved on to Charnock Richard in the North West Counties League and made 15 appearances in 2021-22 with a first goal against Barnoldswick Town in September. The lure of Northern Premier League football was strong enough for Jack to join FC United in December. Adam Dodd - Left back DOB: 14/05/1993 Dodd was born in Kirkham and joined Blackpool at under-10 level. He progressed through the youth teams and signed a two-year scholarship in 2009. He signed a full-time professional contract at Blackpool in May 2011. He spent loan spells at Altrincham and then Scottish club Ayr United where he would go on to made 16 appearances, including a Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park in January 2012. Dodd joined Chorley in the summer of 2014 before joining Bamber Bridge in 2015, winning promotion to the NPL Premier Division and Doodson Cup under Neil Reynolds. Jorge Sikora – Centre Back DOB: 29/03/2002 Jorge was a product of the Bradford City Academy, and made the first of six senior appearances for the Bantams as a 17 year old in September 2019. He also had loan spells at Ossett United, FCUM and Spennymoor Town. Released in January 2022, he was recruited by Neil Reynolds having made good impression with him two years ago. Tyler Owen - Left Back DOB: 16/12/2003 Owen played 6 times for the FCUM Academy in 2020-21 and captained the side once. He also played in the Youth Cup side and in all fitted in 5 appearances in League & Cup for the Youth side. Owen gained first team experience during pre-season against Bolton Wanderers. Curtis Jones – Centre back DOB: 27/07/1993 Curtis began as a youth player at Stockport County before joining Celtic, spending time in their Under-21 team. He has also been with Bristol City, TNS, Livingstone, Mossley and Abbey Hey. In the 2016/17 season he made 54 appearances for Nantwich Town before signing for Southport on a one-year contract in May 2017. He spent time at Ashton United before moving to Trafford in November 2018 where he would go on to make 22 appearances. Jones won the NPL Integro League Cup for with Trafford in 2019 before signing for FC United in July 2019, becoming the lynchpin in the Reds defence.
FC UNITED – SQUAD & STAFF Michael Potts – Midfielder DOB: 28/11/1991 Potts, who played under Neil Reynolds at Bamber Bridge, signed for FC United in October 2018, and was named as captain for Reno’s first game in charge. Having scored on his debut against Brackley Town, Potts became an instant favourite with the fans and has made more than 100 appearances. A former Manchester United youth player, he switched to Blackburn Rovers before making a senior debut for York City against Barrow in August 2011, sharing in their promotion to League Two in 2011-12 and won an FA Trophy winners medal. Michael later had spells with Guiseley, AFC Fylde, Stalybridge Celtic, Bradford PA, and Curzon Ashton prior to joining Brig. Paul ‘Charlie’ Ennis - Midfielder DOB: 01/02/1990 Ennis started his career at Stockport County, playing in their youth team before progressing to the first team where he made his debut in March 2009 against Northampton Town. In September 2009, he joined Stalybridge Celtic before moving to Welsh Premier League side Bala Town January 2010. In 2010/11 season he also played for Droylsden, Cheadle Town and Witton Albion. In July 2011 he joined Northwich Victoria and in March 2012 switched to Colwyn Bay. After a brief stint at Guiseley in 2013/14 he re-joined Stalybridge Celtic for a third time in his career. From 2015 he had spells at Hednesford and Curzon Ashton before signing for Ashton United in December 2018. After joining FC United in August 2019, he scored 13 goals in 2019-20, many of them spectacular and game changing. Michael Donohue – Midfielder DOB: 12/11/1997 Donohue began his career with Everton, moving on loan to Barrow in February 2016. He signed for Fleetwood Town in July 2017, making his senior debut for the club on 8 November 2017 in an EFL Trophy match against Carlisle United. He joined FC United on loan from Fleetwood Town in September 2018 and made 36 appearances for the Reds in 2018-19 following a debut in the 2-2 draw with Bradford Park Avenue. Having been released from Fleetwood in January 2019, he joined FC on a permanent deal. He has played over 100 games for the Reds and shown the ability to play in various positions. Jonathan Smith – Midfielder DOB: 17/10/1986 Smith began with Morecambe and made a first team bow at 19, scoring a shootout winner against Grimsby Town in a FLT tie in October 2005. He then had loan spells at Fleetwood Town and Bamber Bridge. Released in May 2007 Smith joined Conference Premier side Forest Green Rovers and made 134 appearances in 3 seasons. York City snapped him up in July 2010 where he played alongside Michael Potts. Swindon Town bought Jonathan for a £30,000 fee and he was in the side that won the League Two title in 2011-12. By July 2012 he was back with the Minstermen and went to Luton Town on loan in November 2012, making the move permanent for a £50,000 fee in January 2013. The Hatters won promotion to League Two as Smith recovered from a broken leg. In August 2017 Smith moved to Stevenage and then to Chesterfield in September 2018, where he was club captain until his release in June 2021 and a switch to FCUM. Luke Griffiths – Midfielder DOB 10/08/1998 Luke developed his career through the Bolton Youth Team set up and joined Prescot from Marine FC. He had also had spells with Runcorn Linnets, Warrington Town, and Prescot Cables. Griffiths joined FCUM in August 2019 and played for two seasons before transferring back to Warrington Town in August 2021. However, within 3 months he was back at Broadhurst Park anchoring the midfield once again.
FC UNITED – SQUAD & STAFF Josh Galloway – Midfielder DOB 21/01/2002 Josh emerged as a Carlisle United prospect, playing in the U-18 side. Leeds United spotted his potential and signed him in August 2019. Galloway had a trial at Barrow and then in January 2022 a deal was agreed with FCUM to keep him for the remainder of 2021-22. Josh scored his first goal for the club against Witton Albion in February. Chris Taylor – Midfielder DOB 20/12/1986 A vastly experienced player, Taylor began at Oldham Athletic, making a debut in 2005. He made 285 appearances and scored 35 goals, being named in the 2009 PFA League One Team Of The Year. After leaving in 2012 he also played for Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic, Blackpool, Bradford City and Barrow, accumulating 473 games in League football. Chris switched to Radcliffe in October 2021 and then to FCUM in February 2022. Regan Linney - Winger DOB: 12/05/1997 The popular winger is a product of Bamber Bridge’s Academy graduating the Brig’s first team as a 17-year-old in 2015. Regan played under Neil Reynolds at Bamber Bridge scoring the second goal in Bamber Bridge’s Integro League Cup final win against Grantham Town in 2017 as well as helping Brig gain promotion to the Northern Premier League in 2018. Linney stepped up to the Premier Division with FC United in 2019-20 with tricky footwork, 12 goals and several assists. In November 2020 he scored against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup watched by a live TV audience estimated at 2 million. Ali Waddecar – Winger DOB: 07/06/1990 Waddecar was released by Preston North End and played at Lostock St Gerard’s before joining Bamber Bridge, making his debut at Irongate against Cammell Laird in the NPL Division One in August 2010. After playing in losing play-off finals in 2013-14 and 2014-15 he was part of the side that won the 2017-18 play-off final against Prescot Cables to earn a place in the NPL Premier Division. In June 2018 he was named number 11 in the NPL Top 50 Players of All Time, and in November 2018 reached the 400-game landmark for Brig, breaking the club appearance record of 447 in October 2019. Waddecar won the NPL Premier Division Golden Boot in 2018-19 with 25 goals. In May 2021 after 11 years at Brig he agreed to re-join his former manager Neil Reynolds at FC United. Joseph Duckworth – Forward DOB 08/06/2001 Joe had spells with 1874 Northwich and Winsford United, scoring 15 games in 25 appearances for the Blues at North West Counties League level in 2021-22 which drew the interest of FC United who signed him in November. Duckworth made a first appearance against Mickleover soon after signing for the club and scored a vital winning goal at Buxton in December. Ewen Bange – Forward DOB 15/12/2001 Ewen is on loan from Blackpool for the remainder of the season. Bange signed professional forms for the Tangerines in December 2020 having made his senior debut against Carlisle United in October 2019. The lanky striker enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Bamber Bridge in 2021-22, scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances. His next move was to AFC Telford United before joining FCUM in January, netting on his debut against Stalybridge Celtic.
DABBERS 2021-22 SEASON
DABBERS 2021-22 SEASON
WHITBY TOWN – MATCH REPORT The Dabbers achieve back to back home league wins for the first time Nantwich Town manager Dave Cooke said that his side thoroughly deserved their win after his Nantwich Town side picked up back to back wins for the first time since October 2021, as they ran out 1-0 winners at home to Whitby Town. Dave Cooke said “The lads put a shift in, worked hard and thoroughly deserved the win”. Moments later, The league’s top scorer Jacob Hazel managed to find Brewster with a nice knock-down before the latter first took aim from 25 yards and despite a wicked bobble, Gould got down well to save easily. “I thought Josh Langley and Troy Bourne were immense today, we spoke about their partnership before the game. Jacob Hazel is the leading scorer in the league and I don’t think he’s had a sniff, so that’s how well they have dealt with him”. At the break, neither side really deserved to be in the lead, the visitors had had the better chance however, they hadn’t really caused The Dabbers many issues. After a slow start to the second period, The game shot into life when The Dabbers took the lead. Sean Cooke’s corner from the right was met by Joel Stair who saw his header bounce over Whitby keeper Shane Bland, and nestled in the back of the net to put Nantwich ahead on the hour mark. Shortly after taking the lead, The Dabbers almost added a second when Jake Bickerstaff fired agonisingly wide of the far post from outside the area. The visitors were really struggling to create many clear-cut chances and the Nantwich Town defence were holding firm and not letting Whitby get into dangerous positions. The next opportunity of the game came with five minutes to go as substitute Tommy Montefiori picked up the ball on halfway before dancing through a number of Whitby tackles. He took aim when he got into the box but it was blocked as far as Dan Cockerline who saw his effort cleared away to safety. At full time, The Dabbers had earned a valuable three points which could prove crucial in the coming months as we get into the business end of the season “I think the side is looking a lot better now, I thought we looked a decent footballing side today against a good team. We look a lot better than we did two months ago” Dave Cooke said.
WHITBY TOWN – MATCH REPORT
Nantwich Town’s next fixture is on Saturday 12th when they host FC United of
Manchester is what is another big game for the club. And manager Dave Cooke is
under no illusions that it’ll be a tough game “They are another team in and around
the play offs, they’ll bring a lot f fans. So bring it on, it’ll be a good game of football!”
Teams:
Nantwich Town: Gould, Stair, Morgan, Bourne, Langley, Bell, Raffie (Montefiori 77),
Robbins, Cockerline, Cooke, (Heath 89)
Subs not used: Edwards, Nock, Jones
Whitby Town: Bland, Fergus, Sukar, Hawkins (Hackett 76), Rowe, Burn, MacDonald
(Lancaster 65), Griffiths, Hazel (Dyer 76), Fewster, Green
Subs not used: Bullock, Cranston
Attendance: 362
NANTWICH TOWN 1
Stair (63)
WHITBY TOWN 0NANTWICH TOWN – PLAYER PROFILES MATTHEW GOULD (Goalkeeper) Matty has come to Nantwich on loan from Altrincham until January 2022. Matt has great experience at this level and above, mainly recognised here for his time with our friends and league rivals at Stourbridge, as well as a spell at Spennymoor. He is the grandson of ex Wales Manager Bobby Gould. ANDY WYCHERLEY (Goalkeeper) Andy has joined the Dabbers after starting the season with Hednesford Town, Andy came just in time for the FA Trophy game against Barwell and made a big impact. Andy is no stranger having been involved in pre-season in the past. Andy has also played for AFC Telford United so has good experience at this level and the one above. TROY BOURNE (Defender) Troy is a graduate from the Dabbers’ youth team, having impressed former manager Phil Parkinson in 2015/16 pre-season training. He spent much of the 16/17 campaign on loan at Alsager Town but did make a couple of first-team appearances for the Dabbers. Troy is currently a regular in the centre back position but can also play at right back when required. He won the Manager’s Player of the Season in 2017-18 and has excelled in Dave Cooke’s first two campaigns in charge. JOSH LANGLEY (Defender) Josh joined the club in the summer of 2019 with the club looking to bolster their defensive options ahead of the new season. The defender is great with the ball at his feet and has an excellent reading of the game, and as a former captain in a higher division, brings another leader to the Nantwich Town dressing room. BEN HARRISON (Defender) Ben re-joined the club in the summer of 2019 after a two-year stint with Altrincham, where he not only won the Northern Premier Division in 2017-18, he helped the Robins reach the National League North play-offs the following season. The defender is a favourite among Nantwich supporters after two excellent previous spells at the Weaver Stadium, and brings experience, a super reading of the game and a hard tackling but disciplined head to the field. JOEL STAIR (Defender) Joel joined the Dabbers in 2016 after impressing at North-West Counties Football League side Hanley Town. A warrior in defence, Joel is highly regarded at the Weaver Stadium, after winning the club’s Player of the Season in 2017-18 and captaining the club on several occasions. Joel can play across the back four, with his main strength being at centre-half, but can also adequately fill in at right-back and can even offer a threat in the box from set- pieces, having netted several times from corners during his time at the Weaver Stadium. MATTY DEVINE (Defender) Matty switched Cheshire allegiances in the summer of 2019 as he joined the Dabbers from Witton Albion. An attacking full-back, Matty offers a huge threat going forward but is equally as effective at the back. The defender is highly regarded not only at the Weaver Stadium but around the league as he has frequently been mentioned around the Team of the Season squad over the last few seasons.
NANTWICH TOWN – PLAYER PROFILES CASPAR HUGHES (Midfielder) Caspar re-joined the Dabbers from AFC Fylde at the start of the 2017-18 season, before being named captain in January 2018 after the departure of Sam Hall. While Caspar is an excellent ball-winner in midfield, the skipper can also play at full-back. The midfielder was a highly rated prospect in the famed Crewe Alexandra youth academy before joining Nantwich, where he spent two solid seasons before moving on to Fylde. The midfielder helped Fylde gain promotion from both the Northern Premier League and the National League North and is regarded one of the better midfielders in the league. SEAN COOKE (Midfielder) A productive attacking midfielder, Sean is the son of manager Dave and is a dynamic threat from his number ten role. A danger from set-pieces – especially free-kicks – Sean has a keen eye for goal and has proved that not only with Nantwich but at other clubs higher up the non-league pyramid. Sean, along with captain Caspar Hughes, was part of the AFC Fylde side that won promotion from the Northern Premier Division and has also played for FC United of Manchester. He has also won the Northern Premier League’s Young Player of the Season as well as making three Team of the Season appearances. JOE ROBBINS (Midfielder) Joe signed on a month’s loan from Crewe Alexandra for Nantwich in time for the Boxing Day game at Stafford, a technically gifted midfielder who is excellent on the ball. Joe has made a couple of appearance for the first team and had a spell with Altrincham in the National League last season. Joe will be looking to impress and follow the likes of Ollie Finney, Will Jaaskelainen and Luke Offord in coming to Nantwich on loan and going into back into the first team at Crewe. CARLOS “THOMMY” MONTEFIORI (Midfielder) The young Argentinian winger signed for Nantwich in February 2021 after turning 18. Thommy has been residing with his family in Chester for the last couple of years and was spotted and invited to Nantwich and subsequently signed. Thommy is a technically gifted midfielder having come through at All Boys FC in Buenos Aires. Having shone during pre-season we hope he carries this into the upcoming season. AKIEL RAFFIE (Midfielder) Raffie has spent the season on loan on Bamber Bridge and more recently Kendal Town where he gained valuable experience. In April 2021 Raffie signed a professional contract with the Cod Army after making his senior debut as a substitute in their 3-0 Papa Johns Trophy victory over Aston Villa in October 2020. The Australian was born in Sydney and he is the cousin of former New Zealand Rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams. So if Akiel can channel Williams’ sporting talent in the next few months, then we’ve got a great player on our hands. JACOB EDWARDS (Defender) Young full back arrived in pre season, after being released from Swansea City. Impressed during the pre season friendlies and has managed to appear a few times during the season at both left back and right back. Jacob has also played a few games at Alsager Town on dual registration.
NANTWICH TOWN – PLAYER PROFILES DAVID VAUGHAN (Midfielder) The 38 year old began his career at Crewe Alexandra. In 2007 he made the move to Real Sociedad for £300,000. He only made 9 appearances before coming back to England to join Blackpool where he played 109 times, he also captained the seasiders whilst they were in the Premier League. Vaughan then joined Sunderland where he made 49 appearances for the Wearside club, scoring three goals. In October 2013 he joined Nottingham Forest on loan. He made the move permanent in the summer of 2013 where he signed a two-year deal at the City Ground. Vaughan has also represented Wales 42 times, scoring one goal which was away at Liechtenstein in a 2010 World Cup Qualifying game. JOE MALKIN (Forward) Son of former Tranmere Rovers striker Chris, Joe joined the club at the beginning of the 2018- 19 season from North-West Counties Football League side Cammell Laird 1907 and enjoyed an exciting first season with the club, where he won the Northern Premier League Young Player of the Season. Malkin scored some excellent goals during his first season with the club, and offers a natural goalscoring threat, both from his feet and in the air. CONNOR HEATH (Forward) Connor is a new signing in the summer of 2000 after being released from Crewe Alexandra, after impressing during his 2-year scholarship period with a number of goals he signed a professional contract in the summer of 2019. Connor has impressed during the pre-season period with a few goals and will be looking to stamp his mark with Nantwich this season. DAN COCKERLINE (Forward) Dan is a recent signing from AFC Liverpool. At 6 foot 4 there will be few players that are taller than him in the game. Dan brings a big threat in the air, but is a solid footballer too. Dan has played at this level and higher before previously playing for the likes of Barrow, Southport and FC United of Manchester. Dan will no doubt be looking to score a few goals in green this season. SHAUN MILLER (Forward) Miller started his career with Crewe Alexandra's youth system, and he signed a professional contract with the club in July 2006. He made his first-team debut in November 2006 in a 4–0 FA Cup loss to Bradford City at Valley Parade. Shaun has recently been with Bolton Wanderers recently scoring his 100th career goal and achieved promotion with the Trotters last season. He signs for Nantwich Town with a vast amount of league experience and a scoring threat. JAKE BICKERSTAFF (Forward) The frontman began his career at The Dragons before being snapped up by Premier League giants Liverpool. He returned to the Racecourse ground two years later where he had excelled in U18s football allowing him to break into the first team. His debut for the senior side came whilst still on youth terms when he faced Ayr United in the Scottish Challenge Cup. In the summer of 2020 Bickerstaff signed his professional deal. Jake made his first league appearance on the opening day of the 2020/21 campaign against Boreham Wood in a 2-1 win.
PITCHING IN NPL RESULTS & FIXTURES
PITCHING IN NPL STANDINGS
NANTWICH TOWN FC UNITED
MANAGER MANAGER
DAVE COOKE NEIL REYNOLDS
1 Matty GOULD 1 Dan LAVERCOMBE
2 Joel STAIR (C) 2 Jonathan SMITH
3 Jamie MORGAN 3 Adam DODD
4 Troy BOURNE 4 Luke GRIFFITHS
5 Josh LANGLEY 5 Aaron MORRIS
6 Matt BELL 6 Jorge SIKORA
7 Akiel RAFFIE 7 Alistair WADDECAR
8 Joe ROBBINS 8 Michael POTTS (C)
9 Dan COCKERLINE 9 Regan LINNEY
10 Sean COOKE 10 Charlie ENNIS
11 Jake BICKERSTAFF 11 Ewan BANGE
12 Shaun MILLER 12 Michael DONOHUE
14 Luke NOCK 14 Joe DUCKWORTH
15 Connor HEATH 15 Josh GALLOWAY
16 Tommy MONTEFIORI 16 Chris TAYLOR
17 Jacob EDWARDS 13 Ryan HAMER
REFEREE: Harry Warner
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Samuel Rowley, Jason Roberts
MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSORED BY:
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