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Dabbers'success Updated April 28, 2012

This page: Club's President \| The move to The Weaver Stadium \| News items Other pages: FA Vase win (2006) \| Victory tour of the town \| Club's history told in new book Plus pages linked to items on this page


THIS picture shows part of Keepers Chase (as the former football ground is now called) in May 2010, in a similar view to the picture below). Work continues on the former stand side of the ground. More pictures can be found on this page.

A panorama of Nantwich Town F.C.'s ground at Jackson Avenue in the summer of 2007. Nantwich Town's successes here are now just a pleasant memory as Barratt 's develop the site. Last game NANTWICH Town FC played their last game at the Jackson Avenue ground on April 21, 2007, when a 0-0 draw put them into the then Unibond League. For photographs from the last match, see this page on this website.

Cup win rounds off season CONGRATULATIONS to the Dabbers on winning the Cheshire Senior Cup by beating Stalybridge Celtic 1-0 in the final at Chester on Tuesday, April 24. The scorer, in the first half, was Michael Lennon. Stalybridge play in the Blue Square North league. This was the fourth time Nantwich Town had won the cup. APRIL 2012

Charity football match A CHARITY match between soap stars from Emmerdale, EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks against the Charity All Stars XI, will be played on Sunday, April 29, 2pm, at the Weaver Stadium. All proceeds will go to the Wingate Centre, Wrenbury, which helps people of all ages who have disabilities. Admission is £2, pay on the gate. APRIL 2012
GOALKEEPER Jon Brain (left) has signed a two-year extension to his contract. Nantwich manager, Jimmy Quinn (also pictured) is reported to be delighted to keep Brain who he believes is the ‘best keeper in the division’. He said: "This provides us with the foundation to build for an exciting and successful campaign next season. The fact that Jon is prepared to commit his immediate future to us, shows the belief he has in the club, its supporters and our ambitions." MARCH 2012
Club to host prestigious women's final

Arsenal Ladies Reserves who won the trophy at the Weaver Stadium two years ago
NANTWICH Town hosted the FA Women’s Premier Reserve League Cup Final at the Weaver Stadium on Sunday, March 11. The club hosted the game two years ago when Arsenal Ladies defeated Everton Ladies - and the 2012 final was again between Arsenal and Everton. Nantwich Town Chairman, Jon Gold, said: "We are delighted to be hosting the match. This is the second occasion we’ve hosted the final for The Football Association and look forward to welcoming supporters of the women’s game to the Weaver Stadium. It’s a prestigious game and we are delighted to have been chosen again.” MARCH 2012
New website for club NANTWICH Town has a new website (same domain name: www.nantwichtownfc.com). The club says: "The new website is easier to navigate and contains a host of information about every aspect of the club including history, player profiles, youth development, events, match reports, match previews and up to date news coming out of the Weaver Stadium." The revised website is the work of Nantwich Town Chairman, Jon Gold, who commented: “The current web site has served us well, but we are conscious that we now live in media hungry and technology-driven times. Our recent F.A Cup success highlighted this and the inadequacies we had with it. "We also have many different facets to the club, from the first team to youth development, and numerous events taking place, and so we felt that the time was right to build and launch a new site that would reflect our development as a club and to keep our supporters, media and commercial partners abreast of what's happening at Nantwich Town. "One of the best things about the new site is that visitors can sign up for our e-mail news alert service and receive breaking news and alerts about all things Nantwich Town as they happen direct to their inboxes. I would encourage everyone to sign up to ensure that they don't miss out." DECEMBER 2011
Steve at Wembley Stadium NANTWICH Town's Steve Smithies, the club’s Football Development Officer, found himself rubbing shoulders with some of the most illustrious names in the game at a top conference at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, December 4, 2011. As an FA Charter Standard Community Club, Nantwich Town FC is well respected in the football world for encouraging and developing young footballers. With more than 20 youth teams and over 500 boys and girls participating in football, the club is seen as leading the way in developing football in the community. That work was recognised by the Football Association who invited Steve to make a presentation at the prestigious FA Licensed Coaches’ Conference. Steve spoke just after Sir Trevor Brooking and outlined the work Nantwich Town FC does in the local community. DECEMBER 2011
Not to be DESPITE hopes of progressing in the FA Cup, the Dabbers went out in the first round proper when they came up against MK Dons in an away match on Saturday, November 12, losing 6-0 (half time score 2-0) to the nPower League 1 team. But this was not the biggest defeat of the day as Bradford P.A. went down 8-1 to AFC Totton. Since September, the Dabbers had beaten Ramsbottom, Northwich Vics, Kendal and Nuneaton. NOVEMBER 2011
New press officer appointed ASHLEY Houghton has been appointed as the new press officer of Nantwich Town F.C. Ashley, 20, a sports journalism student at Staffordshire University has worked with newspapers such as the Shropshire Star and Northwich Guardian and is part of the Red Shift Radio team, which is the club’s media partners. Ashley (right) has written for Witton Albion, thisisanfield.com and AFC Telford United. He takes over from Phil Johnson who has had to step down from the role. Club Director Michael Chatwin said, “We’re delighted that Ashley has come on board as press officer. The club is very grateful to Phil Johnson for everything he has done and I’m sure Ashley will build on all his good work.” The appointment comes with the club website set to be re-vamped shortly and live home match commentary now being provided by Red Shift Radio. SEPTEMBER 2011
Football legend becomes Dabbers' President

Football legend Frank Blunstone is presented with a framed photograph by club Chairman Jon Gold before the friendly game against a Stoke City team on July 30. The picture shows Frank in front of the Baker, Wynne and Wilson stand at the Weaver Stadium. Pictures courtesy of Simon J. Newbury Photography.
FORMER Chelsea and England footballer, Frank Blunstone, has accepted the honorary position of Nantwich Town F.C.'s Club President. Frank, who lives in Nantwich, is a familiar face at the Weaver Stadium, a keen fan of the Dabbers and a season ticket holder. Nantwich Town Chairman, Jon Gold, said: “Frank is a football legend.His achievements in the game are phenomenal and, to this day, Frank is revered at Stamford Bridge. It’s great that he’s agreed to become our President.” Frank said, “I’m deeply honoured to be asked to become President of Nantwich Town Football Club. Nantwich is my local club and I’ve always received a very warm welcome at the Weaver Stadium. I’m pleased to do whatever I can to help the club.” Frank, who is 76, was born in Crewe and started his career with Crewe Alexandra. Chelsea Manager Ted Drake paid £7,500 for his services in 1953 and his performances soon gained him national recognition. Frank gained his first England cap against Wales in 1954 and, in all, was capped five times by his country. A flying left winger, Frank helped Chelsea to their first League championship title in 1955 and altogether clocked up 350 appearances for the Blues. He retired from playing in 1964, going on to manage Brentford who he took to promotion to the Third Division in 1972. AUGUST 2011
Clive takes on role of Vice-Chairman APPOINTED Chairman of Nantwich Town F.C. in 1998, Clive Jackson has taken on the role of Vice-Chairman after work commitments meant he was out of the U.K. Clive was a leading figure in the Dabbers' move from the Jackson Avenue ground to the Weaver Stadium. The new Chairman is Jon Gold. More.
Dabbers training camp hopes dashed NANTWICH Town F.C.'s hopes of their ground being used as a training base for one of the teams in the 2018 World Cup were dashed when England missed out on being chosen as the hosts of the event. in December 2010. More DECEMBER 2010
Now a limited company NANTWICH TOWN FC became a limited company - Nantwich Football Trust Ltd - in a move to secure its future for some years to come. The change took place in July 2010. Read more on http://evostikleague.pitchero.com/nantwich-change-of-status-2512/. That's on the Evo-Stik Premier League's website - the new name for the Unibond League. It is basically the Northern Premier League but a new sponsor - Evo-Stik Adhesives and Sealants - means a new name. The previous sponsors, Unibond, ended their sponsorship after 16 years.
Sponsorship deal for first team home shirts A MAJOR sponsorship agreement for their first team home shirts during the 2010/11 season has been signed by the club with Cheshire-based County Insurance. The “Insurance4Your” logo will be emblazoned across the front of the home shirts and displayed around the Weaver Stadium and the 3G pitch. Tim Crighton of County Insurance said: "Insurance4Your are delighted to be sponsoring Nantwich Town. We wanted to support our local club whilst also promoting our brand and service to local residents." Nantwich Town F.C. Commercial manager Jon Gold said “A club such as Nantwich Town is dependent on the support and generosity of its partners and we are grateful to all of them and hopefully we will be in a position to announce further partners in the next few weeks." The new look shirts were worn for the first time in pre-season games with Stoke City and Crewe Alexandra". Replicas will be available to purchase from the club store. www.insurance4your.co.uk From a press release issued by the club.
Acting managers get the job PLAYERS Kevin Street and Darren Tinson have been appointed as the club's managerial team on a permanent basis, the Crewe and Nantwich Guardian reported on May 6, 2010. While they were caretaker managers, the Dabbers won five of the six matches they played and drew the other, with a clean sheet on all the four away matches.
Pete Hall leaves as Head Coach "NANTWICH Town F.C. and Head Coach Pete Hall have regrettably parted company by mutual consent." That is the start of a statement posted on the club's official website at the end of March 2010. It goes on: "The club wishes to place on record its sincere thanks for all the hard work, enthusiasm and dedication Pete has given during his time at the club in both coaching and football development. "He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at the club and will always be very welcome at the Weaver Stadium". A successor to Pete Hall is not expected to be appointed until the summer. Meanwhile, players Kevin Street and Darren Tinson are acting joint managers. The Dabbers dropped to 15th place in the Unibond Premier League table after a number of lost matches, although they had risen to 11th place after a 3-0 away win against Whitby the Saturday after Pete left. The team finished the season in 10th position. Pete Hall was assistant to former manager Steve Davis through the club's meteoric rise through the leagues and their two cup wins. Pete had a brief to win two more promotions in three years - with the Blue Square Conference in 2012 as the eventual aim. He was helped as manager by Kevin Street, one-time Crewe Alex mid-fielder. Kevin didn't actually apply for the job of managing the Dabbers, but Pete Hall wanted him as his assistant. Steve Davis, who led the team through two promotions in two years - missing out on a third in 2009 - had returned to Crewe Alex, for whom he was once a player, to be assistant manager, working with the Crewe manager, Gudjon Thordarson. Read the club's full statement here.
Congratulations, Jim CONGRATULATIONS to Jim Kettle, the Dabbers' oldest and longest "serving" fan. Jim joined the growing ranks of the town's 90-year-olds on February 22, 2010. It was at the tender age of nine that Jim stood on the sidelines at Jackson Avenue, supporting his favourite team, who were then playing in the old Cheshire League. The ground was just round the corner from his home. But his parents wouldn't let him travel to away games, he told Michael Chatwin for the book "Proud to be the Dabbers''. Jim's Dad wasn't interested in football, but his son, Graham, grandson, Peter, and great grandsons Sam and Josh are all keen fans. ''Proud to be the Dabbers''
Stadium address NANTWICH Town FC's stadium address is Nantwich Town F.C., The Weaver Stadium, Waterlode, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5BS. The phone number is 01270 621771.


The Weaver Stadium story WORK on Nantwich Town F.C.'s long-awaited £3.75 million new ground started on August 21, 2006. It was two years since the plans for the new ground in Kingsley Fields were first announced, but it was not until July 11 that Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council planners gave the go-ahead for the project. The announcement on the website (www.nantwichtownfc.com) said: "Nantwich Town FC have announced that they have completed the purchase of the site for their new ground at Kingsley Fields and the sale of their Jackson Avenue ground to Barratt Homes. After lengthy legal delays, a start is now expected on site on 21st August, 2006. "Main contractor Bossons will start work on the £3.75million project which is expected to take 40 weeks to complete. It means that the scheduled match against Squires Gate on 14th April, 2007, will be the club's last at Jackson Avenue. Further updates will appear on the website as work progresses." Previously the website had said the club had received almost £1 million from the Football Foundation - "the U.K.'s largest sporting charity" - which announced it had awarded the club "one of their largest ever grants." The actual sum was £959,995 which also included £100,000 for a football development officer "to create more opportunities for players of all ages and abilities to play the national game." The Football Stadium Improvement Fund was also behind the grant. Forty weeks after the starting date, the club can expect to have "a superb new stadium . . . a community sports facility . . . a full-size floodlit 3rd Generation pitch and a modern, two-storey changing pavilion, housing male and female changing rooms for players and match officials, medical rooms and a huge social and function suite." I won't quote the website at length. Read it for yourself by following the link above. But here is just one more quote from the site. "Nantwich Town Chairman, Clive Jackson said 'We have worked very hard over a number of years at the club to develop
	the infrastructure to support our football development plan. The final stage of this was to provide facilities for the use of our own sides and the community in general. This would never have been possible without support and funding from The Football Foundation. . . and the other contributors to the project - Nantwich Town Council (£100,000) and Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council (£60,000). " 'We would further wish to thank the organisations and individuals who have worked along side us to make this project possible, namely the local Football Development Forum, Cheshire County F.A., Clare Wilson (Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council), and South Cheshire Youth league.
The stand at Jackson Avenue
" 'On a personal note, I would like thank all of our supporters for their patience - Jon Brydon (Vice-Chairman) and Michael Chatwin (President), Bob Melling and the Youth Committee who have made my visions and dreams for this project turn into reality.' " The Nantwich Chronicle of July 11 quoted Mr Jackson as saying: "It has taken a long time but good things come to those who wait. It is a great foundation to build on and the ground will finally give our 28 teams a place to call home. "We are aiming to get promotion this season and then consolidate what we have got and push forward with the aim of achieving Conference football in the next few years."
	Another view of the London Road ground
The newspaper said the ground "will have a capacity of 3,500, a 350-seat grandstand and covered standing accommodation for a further 700 spectators, making it amongst the best non-league grounds in the country".