Midcheshire Independent Issue 174

JANUARY 2025 20 Independent LOCAL SPORT WITTONAlbion chairman GrahamWood has issued a rallying call for support- ers to get behind the club. He is urging fans of the struggling Northern Premier League West outfit to do their bit to help secure its future. And that includes buying shares to fund improving the facilities at its U Lock IT Sta- dium, with the aim of creating a better matchday experience and enhanced social club facilities to increase revenue to support the playing budget. In a message to supporters Wood said: “Whilst it is all too easy to criticise our cur- rent performances that have not been up to the standard that the fans expect and deserve, there are several ways in which you, as a fan, can make a massive differ- ence to the club and contrib- ute to the future. “For example, there is no limit to the number of volun- teers we need to sustain and develop the club. “If you would like to be involved in any capacity or have any ideas for improving the profitability (and hence the playing budget) or sus- tainability of the club please reach out to one of the board, and we would be pleased to discuss how you could help our club.” Wood said: “Unlike many non-league clubs, we are owned by over 400 individual shareholders none of whom may own more than 10 per cent of the issued shares (around £30,000 worth). “At the last AGM we launched a rights issue for existing shareholders to take up 50 per cent of their exist- ing shares by way of a new issue. This was unfortunately very poorly supported with less than 10 per cent taking up their rights. “Shares are currently available for any fan to pur- chase and therefore partici- pate in the future of the club as a shareholder. “I am keen that a one-off fund raising of this nature THE newly formed Nant- wich Town Under-21 team has given fans plenty to cheer about in their debut season. Competing in the North West Under 21 Development League – Championship Divi- sion B, the young Dabbers have impressed, sitting second in the table after 14 matches. Manager Ryan Jones, who transitioned from his role as assistant manager of the Dabbers’ women’s first team to lead the U21s, is pleased with their progress. Speaking after the final home match, he told the club’s official website: “I take abso- lutely no credit whatsoever in the success we’ve enjoyed so far. The lads have had the bit between their teeth since game one and taken this side much further than I’d imagined we’d be at this stage. “They’ve created such a brilliant playing and coach- ing environment, with an unwavering dedication, and I want to thank them for that. “Whilst we’re in with a shout of winning the league, we’re going to give it our all and that should be every play- er’s ambition. “But a league title won’t define success for me – suc- cess will be creating the foundations for a team that is developing first team football- ers for years to come, hope- fully here at Nantwich, and giving players throughout all age groups in our fantastic youth set up something to work towards.” LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP By Rhys Fullerton SANDBACH held off a spirited second half fight- back by visitors North- wich to maintain their winning streak. They eventually triumphed 32-19 in the Northern Divi- sion Regional 2 North West clash against their close neighbours. Sandbach started the game in second place, one point behind lead- ers Firwood Waterloo who have a game in hand. Elliot Morris scored the home side’s first try of the afternoon from a maul that emerged from a 10m lineout. Winger Matt Randle then went over the tryline with Northwich outgunned by five-try hosts ease after a break from scrum-half Laurie Essenhigh. With six minutes left of the half, Northwich got their first points of the day, squeezing. over for the try under the posts. An easy kick narrowed the scores to 13-7. Sandbach delivered the perfect response a few min- utes later as Ryan Arundale received the ball and he drove over to secure the points. An excellent kick from Randle increased the lead and at half-time Sandbach led 20-7. Northwich kicked off the second half and they looked much sharper early on. How- ever, seven minutes in a kick chase in the away side’s 22 tricked everyone apart from Randle, who took the ball and eased over for his second try. An outstanding long range solo effort from Mor- ris followed less than 10 min- utes later. It was now Northwich’s turn now to apply some pressure and they eventu- ally forced their way into Sandbach’s half to score their second try. A yellow card to Sandbach sawMorris sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and North- wich capitalised as they went over on the wing for a further five points. At 32-19, Northwich clearly had their sights on a bonus point or more and it was now down to Sandbach to knuckle down and see the game out despite strong pressure from the visitors. Northwich played like they had nothing to lose and you would expect this to gal- vanise them for the rest of the season. Sandbach had to dig deep in the second half and this was the type of performance that the team will gain vital experience from. Meanwhile, Macclesfield went a whole month without a game after their clash at Ormskirk called off due to the weather and Stockport conceded as they were unable to field a side. (Photo credit: Andy Mitchell) GET BEHIND US! Chairman looks for fans support does not go directly to sup- port the playing budget. At the AGM I made it clear that all proceeds from the share issue would go towards improving the facilities at the U Lock IT Stadium.” Spelling out some of the challenges facing the club, he said: “Please be assured that no-one on the board wants to see our team relegated. “In fact, the opposite is true and, having just missed out on the promotion play-offs in the last two seasons, we were hopeful of a top-five finish this season, and if not promoted then we would, hopefully go again and be successful in the 2025-2026 season. “However, survival in the NPL Premier Division would be a massive ask for a club with our available funding due to increased travel costs and an undoubted require- ment for an increase in the playing budget. As a board we would certainly give it our best shot. “The big spenders in our league, and the Premier Divi- sion, tend to be ‘family owned’ by wealthy individuals. “Our 10 per cent share ownership restriction effec- tively makes this impossible for Witton Albion. It is one of the club’s great strengths, but also severely restricts our ability to attract serious, game-changing investment and is probably something that shareholders should discuss and consider at the next AGM. “The playing budget that was set at the beginning of the season, was in our opin- ion, sufficient to assemble a decent squad, deliver qual- ity football on the pitch and secure a decent points tally. “However, it was based on the ability to generate a significant increase in fund- ing from local business (that has not been forthcoming) and the continued increase in average attendances which last season ended at around 650 per game.” Wood says the average league attendances this season have dropped to 450 agame, at this stage, mean- ing Albion have lost around £36,000 in match-day reve- nue to the end of November. He added: “To a certain extent this has been recov- ered from the 1,690 who attended the four home cup games this season (against none last season). “However, if the 13 home games so far (including these cup games) had been at last season’s closing average, the Young Dabbers shine overall loss in attendance is in the region of 2,700 and in revenue terms probably around £54,000. “There has always been a gap between the playing budget and the funds raised from the above activities. This gap has historically been funded by either direc- tors’ loans (usually written off at the end of the season) or by way of significant donations from individ- ual fans. “This naturally limits the size of the budget available to the management team and is not sustainable in anything other than the short term. “Our principal focus as a board, therefore, is on making the club as sus- tainable and self-reliant as possible which is proving very difficult.”