The People United: 1874 Northwich

Words: Ian Parker

Images: Ian Parker

Our paths and reasons for getting into football are varied.

Sometimes we end up in places and positions we only dreamed of, or in some cases, never wanted to be.

After a successful playing career and a few roles in the dugout at other clubs in the football rich North West, Wayne Goodison found himself coaching at 1874 and that’s all he really wanted to do.

A passion for football was ignited by watching a dubious 1971 Jeff Astle goal and the pitch invasion that followed on the TV.

In 2016, Goodison was offered and accepted the co-manager position alongside Northwich favourite Paul Bower.

Now into their 10th year, the club had been reborn three years previously after a significant number of Northwich Victoria Supporters’ Trust members had become disillusioned by a long financial struggle.

After seeing their former home gone and debts spiralling, fans voted to break away to form 1874 Northwich and run the club on community ownership lines.

1874 Northwich find themselves in the NPL West Division 1 and are playing all their home games at Barnton FC’s Townfield

The managers and volunteers at 1874 fit in club roles around a variety of different days jobs and roles.

Wayne is a lecturer in Football Coaching and management at the University Campus of Football Business.

He teaches undergraduates and Masters students and also coaches the UCFB Academy first team at the university.

On top of all this, he is a year into a PHD. This work ethic is astonishing and is something to be immensely proud of.

“My values and beliefs as a coach were and still are shaped by Bobby Collins who was my youth team and then first team manager in my time at Barnsley. A truly great man who taught me so much about the game but also life”.

This fortitude penetrates throughout the club and football is about much more than just results for the management team at 1874.

“Seeing the players develop but more importantly having a positive influence on them in any way is just as important” adds Goodison.

Co-managers Paul and Wayne get stuck in on a match day and if something needs doing they roll their sleeves up and get it done.

Vicki, the Club Secretary says that she starts work on the team admin after the tea time routine is over and points to the communal feel.

“Since the formation of 1874 the club have had a good chunk of success, not just on the pitch, where they have seen promotions, cup wins and fantastic campaigns but the feeling of it is one of family and community.”

“Everyone has a say, they pull in the same direction and people roll their sleeves up to help the club. There’s partnerships with some excellent and worthy charities, raising money and awareness, the club have supported foodbank collections and have mental health and diversity initiatives.”

“Local businesses trust the club, as they know it is a well run, community club. The players know many of the supporters and their families by their first names, they realise what the club means to the fans and that they become so invested in the 74 family.”

“By the fans, for the fans, it’s the only way to be”.