THE DABBER

NANTWICH TOWN vs MATLOCK TOWN TUESDAY 24TH AUGUST 2021 KICK OFF 7.45PM CLUB DETAILS & HONOURS

Nantwich Town Football Club CLUB HONOURS Company by Guarantee Company No: 0732 8670 The Optimum Pay Stadium, LEAGUE COMPETITION: Waterlode, Nantwich, CW5 5BS 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 Division One Runners Up – 1900/01 Company Secretary: John Dunning & District League Football Officials Runners-Up – 1891/92 Manager: Dave Cooke Assistant Manager: Jay Bateman Manchester League First Team Coach Mentor: Nigel Deeley Runners-Up – 1966/67 Goalkeeper Coach: Keiron Clarke Head Physio: Callum Carey Northern Physio: Pete Williams Div 1 South – Play-Off Winners – 2007/08 Kit Manager: Jason Clarke Premier Division Play-Off Final – 2008/09

Behind the Scenes CUP COMPETITION: Club Secretary: Carl Thorpe Winners – 1932/33, Match Day Secretary: Gary Richardson 1975/76, 2007/08, 2011/12, 2017/18, Business Manager: Emma Crossan 2018/19 Press Officers: Jack Beresford, Liam Price, Adam Bateman FA Vase Winners – 2005/06 Club Photographer: Jonathan White Groundsman: TBC FA Trophy Semi Finalist – 2015/16 Stadium & Safety Officer: Bob Melling FA Cup First Round – 2011/12, 2017/18, Social Networks: 2019/20 Twitter: @TheDabbers Facebook: /nantwichtownfc North West Counties YouTube: Nantwich Town FC Winners – 1994/95 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 evening, including the supporters, players, management and Directors of our visitors, Matlock Town.

It’s been a solid start to the season with the opening home 3-2 win over Stalybridge Celtic, followed up by a wonderful performance and 2-0 win away at Atherton Collieries, it was just the start Dave Cooke and his squad could have hoped for. However it was not to be at a decent Whitby side at the weekend, and the boys will be itching to put that straight tonight against Matlock Town this evening

Matlock like ourselves have also had a strong start to the season. Despite a 2-0 defeat away at Ashton United at the start of the season. They have won back to back home matches with a 2-1 win over fancied Basford United despite being down to 10 men and another 2-1 win over Hyde United. I’m sure tonight will be a fascinating encounter between two sides eager to push on.

From left to right: Jon Gold, John Scarlett, Danny Griggs, Ian Garnett, Dave Cooke

Last home game we paid tribute to Dabbers legend and someone who played a massive part in our previous success’s. Danny Griggs, who has served the club as a player, coach and assistant manager, making over 400 appearances and scoring 116 goals, making him the club’s second highest post war goal scorer of all time. We were delighted to have his whole family down to share a presentation in front of all his adoring fans, friends and family, we hope to see Danny again soon!

Enjoy the programme and the match this evening and Up The Dabbers! Carl Thorpe Club Secretary & Programme Editor 2021/22 FIRST TEAM REMAINING FIXTURES

Tuesday 24th August 2021 (7.45pm) Matlock Town (H) Saturday 28th August 2021 (3pm) Bamber Bridge (H) Monday 30th August 2021 (3pm) Witton Albion (A) Saturday 4th September 2021 (3pm) Grantham Town (H) – FA Cup 1Q Tuesday 7th September 2021 (7.45pm) Hyde United (H) Saturday 11th September 2021 (3pm) Radcliffe (A) Tuesday 14th September 2021 (7.45pm) Mickleover (A) Saturday 18th September 2021 (3pm) FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Saturday 25th September 2021 (3pm) Basford United (H) Tuesday 28th September 2021 (7.45pm) Grantham Town (A) Saturday 2nd October 2021 (3pm) South Shields (H) Tuesday 5th October 2021 (7.45pm) Gainsborough Trinity (H) Saturday 9th October 2021 (3pm) FC United of Manchester (A) Tuesday 12th October 2021 (7.45pm) Town (H) Saturday 16th October 2021 (3pm) Ashton United (A) Saturday 23rd October 2021 (3pm) Morpeth Town (H) Saturday 30th October 2021 (3pm) FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round Saturday 6th November 2021 (3pm) Buxton (A) Saturday 20th November 2021 (3pm) Scarborough Athletic (A) Saturday 27th November 2021 (3pm) Lancaster City (H) Saturday 4th December 2021 (3pm) Hyde United (A) Saturday 11th December 2021 (3pm) Radcliffe (H) Saturday 18th December 2021 (3pm) Whitby Town (H) Monday 27th December 2021 (3pm) Stafford Rangers (A) Saturday 1st January 2022 (3pm) Witton Albion (H) Saturday 8th January 2022 (3pm) Stalybridge Celtic (A) Saturday 15th January 2022 (3pm) Mickleover (H) Saturday 22nd January 2022 (3pm) Basford United (A) Saturday 29th January 2022 (3pm) Ashton United (H) Saturday 5th February 2022 (3pm) Morpeth Town (A) Tuesday 8th February 2022 (7.45pm) Warrington Town (A) Saturday 12th February 2022 (3pm) Buxton (H) Saturday 19th February 2022 (3pm) Grantham Town (H) Saturday 26th February 2022 (3pm) South Shields (A) Saturday 12th March 2022 (3pm) FC United of Manchester (H) Saturday 19th March 2022 (3pm) Gainsborough Trinity (A) Saturday 26th March 2022 (3pm) Lancaster City (A) Saturday 2nd April 2022 (3pm) Scarborough Athletic (H) Saturday 9th April 2022 (3pm) Atherton Collieries (H) Saturday 16th April 2022 (3pm) Matlock Town (A) Monday 18th April 2022 (3pm) Stafford Rangers (H) Saturday 23rd April 2022 (3pm) Bamber Bridge (A)

NB: Fixtures are always subject to change due to postponements / cup fixtures

MATLOCK TOWN – MATCH PREVIEW

The Dabbers welcome Matlock Town to the Optimum Pay Stadium this evening as they look to bounce back quickly from Saturday’s first defeat of the season to Whitby.

Under Matlock and Key:

Matlock have an identical record to the Dabbers after 3 games, with 2 wins and a defeat to their name. losing to Ashton on the opening day but responding with back-to-back wins over Basford and Hyde United respectively.

In recent weeks, they’ve added to their attacking options by signing two forward players bizarrely both with the surname Greaves, attacking midfielder Oli who up until 2020 was a part of Sheffield United’s academy, and striker Jerome on loan from Rotherham. Neither are related to each other (or Jimmy Greaves).

Last Time Out:

The two sides were due to play in March 2020, but a positive Covid case in the Matlock camp saw the game postponed, just 10 days before literally everything got postponed with the first lockdown.

But the Dabbers won out the last time the two teams did play, back in October 2019, a double from Joe Malkin and a late tap-in from Caspar Hughes helping them to a 3-1 win

Player’s to Watch:

While Matlock have added to their frontline, it’s the existing forwards who should pose the biggest threat. Ross Hannah scored both goals in their win over Basford (but also got sent off so is unavailable tonight), and fellow striker Jesurun Uchebgulam provides a skillful and pacy threat alongside him. MATLOCK – A BRIEF HISTORY IN TIME

CLUB INFO Club Name: Matlock Town FC Year Founded: 1878 Club Nickname: The Gladiators Current Ground: Causeway Lane Current Manager: Paul Phillips

CUP HISTORY Derbyshire Senior Cup: Winners, 10 times; Evans Halshaw Floodlit Cup: Winners, 1988/89, 1990/91 NPL Challenge Cup: Winners – 1977/78, 2004/05 NPL Shield: Winners – 1978/79 FA Cup: 3nd Round – 1976/77 FA Trophy: Winners – 1974/75

LEAGUE HISTORY Central Alliance North Div: Champions – 1959/60, 1960/61 Midland Counties League: Champions – 1961-62, 1968/69 NPL Division One: Runners-Up – 2003/04 NPL Premier Division: Runners-Up – 1983/84

LAST 5 LEAGUE SEASONS:

Season League POS PL W D L GF GA Pts

2016-17 NPL P 9/24 46 22 9 15 68 58 75

2017-18 NPL P 15/24 46 18 6 22 69 75 60

2018-19 NPL P 15/21 40 12 8 20 58 79 44

2019-20 NPL P ABAN 28 8 5 15 36 43 29 *

2020-21 NPL P ABAN 6 4 1 1 10 4 13 *

* 2019-20 & 2020-21 Season both curtailed due to COVID-19 MATLOCK TOWN - HISTORY

Matlock Town sprung to prominence as one of the leading non league clubs in the country.

They joined the NPL in 1969/70 and their early years in the competition saw them struggle towards the bottom of the league.

Earlier they had won the Central Alliance Division North Champions in 1959/60 and 1960/61, which saw them enter the Midland Counties League which they won in their debut season. Additionally in 1959/60 they reached the FA Cup First Round for the first time, losing 1-0 at home to Crook Town after a replay.

When they won the Midland Counties League for the second time in 1968/69 they were invited to join the NPL and they have now been members of the league for 51 seasons.

Matlock won the FA Trophy at Wembley in April 1975, beating Scarborough 4-0, then a record winning margin for the final and the only time when three brothers have played for the same club in a Wembley final as Tom, Mick and Nick Fenoughty played leading roles.

Peter Swan had taken over as manager at the start of the season bringing about a fantastic attacking style to Matlock’s play. Success had come earlier in the 1974/75 campaign as Matlock progressed to the First Round of the FA Cup, losing 4-1 at home to eventual Third Division champions Blackburn Rovers in front of over 5,000 spectators. Two days after their Wembley win they captured the Derbyshire Senior Cup for the first time with a 6-1 home win against Glossop and an aggregate margin of 9-3.

Tom Fenoughty replaced Swan as manager at the start of the 1976/77 season which saw Matlock reach the FA Cup Third Round for the one and only time. In Round Two Matlock beat eventual Third Division champions Mansfield Town 5-2 on their own ground, the Stags only home defeat of the campaign. Carlisle beat them in the next round and drew Liverpool away in Round Four! The NPL title narrowly eluded them as the finished in third spot behind champions Boston United and Northwich Victoria but silverware came their way with an aggregate win over New Mills in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final.

In 1977/78 Matlock won the NPL Cup by beating Boston United 3-0 in the final at , Manchester to enable them to qualify for the Anglo-Italian tournament in 1979. They finished as English runners up to Sutton United following 2-1 defeats to both Chieti and Pisa in Italy but beating Juniorcasale and Cremonese 2-0 at home.

Matlock’s best league campaign to date was in 1983/84 when they finished runners-up to Barrow. Their last FA Cup 1st Round appearance was in 1989/90 when they were beaten 4-1 at Scunthorpe United.

They lost their Premier Division status at the end of the 1995/96 campaign and did not return to the top flight until they finished second to Hyde United in the NPL First Division in 2003/04. In the following season they won the NPL Cup after beating Whitby Town in a two legged final.

Since then Matlock’s league form has been patchy with a number of bottom half finishes, their best being a 5th placed finish in 2006/07 when they lost in the play-off semi final after extra time at Witton Albion. Witton proved to be an unlucky ground for them in that season as Town beat them 1-0 to lift the NPL Cup.

Their most recent honours have been in the Derbyshire Senior Cup which they won in 2014/15 and 2016/17, on both occasions beating Gresley in the final at Chesterfield 7-0 and 5-0 respectively. They have been giant killers in the FA Trophy though, beating Mansfield Town in 2012/13, Halifax and Solihull Moors in 2016/17 and Chorley last season. MATLOCK PLAYERS & STAFF

Shaun Rowley Reece Kendall Sam Egerton Ryan Qualter

Mark Lees Alex Byrne Alex Wiles Liam Hughes

Jesuran Uchegbalum Declan Walker Callum Chippendale Jonathan Wafulu

Craig Carney Kayde Coppin Craig King Ashton Hall

Ross Hannah Paul Phillips Dave Wild Dave Noble STALYBRIDGE CELTIC – MATCH REPORT

Sean Cooke’s 100th goal for Nantwich Town helped them to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Stalybridge Celtic at the Optimum Pay Stadium.

410 spectators were in to welcome the return of league football in what will hopefully be a full and exciting season.

It didn’t start too well for the Dabbers though, with Stalybridge taking the lead from the penalty spot after 11 minutes.

Scott Bakkor was brought down by Joel Stair, and Bakkor converted it himself, sending keeper Cameron Terry the wrong way.

Bakkor and fellow striker Jack Ryan posed a clear and present danger throughout this period, linking up well and seeming to target Stair who started in a less familair right back role.

Celtic caught the Dabbers on a 2v2 which they were lucky to escape from, then Bakkor tried his luck again and stung the palms of Terry.

Nantwich eventually played their way back into the game, and it was Thommy who made things happen, forcing a brilliant save from Shenton in the Stalybridge goal with a left-footed shot that looked destined for the top corner.

The Argentine didn’t have to wait much longer for his first league goal though, Thommy was the pinball wizard who poked in following a goalmouth scramble to make it 1-1 just before the half hour mark.

Bakkor dragged a shot wide of Terry’s left post, then Stair flashed a cross/shot wide of their post as the game began to really open up.

Then a historic moment, Sean Cooke was fouled in the box, he also decided to take the penalty himself and slammed in his 100th Nantwich goal in front of a joyous home crowd, becoming only the 8th man to reach a century of goals in the club’s history.

The second half saw the Dabbers continue their strong finish to the first, and another new signing got himself a goal.

Shaun Miller added a third just before the hour, flicking the ball over a defender and finishing into the far corner expertly. It was most definitely the finish of a man with over 100 Football League goals and surely the first of many. STALYBRIDGE CELTIC – MATCH REPORT

Stair could have really wrapped things up with a header that he couldn’t steer on target from a Cooke free-kick.

That gave the visitors hope and they capitalised soon after, Stephen Brogan first thumped the crossbar with an excellent free-kick, a ricochet somehow trickling wide for a corner. Brogan took that corner and saw it go through the hands of keeper Terry and all the way in to set up a nervy last 10 minutes.

Terry responded well to that lapse by making a good save from a low Bakkor shot soon after.

And that was enough, Nantwich were able to hold on for an important opening-day victory on a great day for Sean Cooke.

Teams:

Nantwich Town: Terry, J. Stair, Bourne, Langley, Harrison, Hughes, Webb (Haywood, 83), Lawrie, Miller (Saunders, 71), Cooke, Thommy (T. Stair, 71)

Subs not used: Devine, Hatton

Stalybridge Celtic: Shenton, Barlow (Smith-Brown, 69), Brogan, Evans, Quansah, O’Halloran, Doyle (Deacon, 69), Wedgbury, Ryan, Bakkor, Harris

Subs not used: Padden, Hughes, Nyaupembe

Attendance: 410

NANTWICH TOWN 3 Montefiori (27), Cooke (44 pen), Miller (58)

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 2 STALYBRIDGE CELTIC – MATCH PHOTOS

Photo’s by Peter Robinson

ATHERTON COLLIERIES – MATCH REPORT

Nantwich Town made it two wins from two at the start of the season with a comfortable 2-0 win courtesy of Sean Cooke’s brace at Atherton Collieries.

Luca Hansen had the first effort on goal for the home team, and it was held well by Cameron Terry.

The opening goal came in strange circumstances but certainly welcome for the visitors. A Sean Cooke free-kick was adjudged to have been handled by one of the Atherton wall who was placed in the penalty area, so a spot-kick it was. Just as on Saturday, Cooke stepped up himself and buried it into the left corner and make it 1- 0.

A nicely worked move down the Nantwich right saw Joel Stair go close to a second not long after, as the Dabbers once again were warming into a game very nicely.

Prince Haywood, starting his first game of the season, also tested the Atherton keeper Luke Hutchinson after half an hour.

Jack Lenehan tried to respond for Atherton just before the break but Terry was more than up to the task, responding really well to his disappointing moment against Stalybridge.

Caspar Hughes, the Dabbers king of the long-range screamer, so nearly had another to add to his collection, Hutchinson did extremely well to tip onto the crossbar.

Marcus Cusani just cleared the Dabbers crossbar at the other end before the game swung dramatically in Nantwich’s favour.

Ben Conway received a red card for a rough challenge on Prince Haywood, to no complaints from his teammates who had just seen their chances of getting back into the game severely hampered.

And then the game was well and truly killed off by a piece of Cooke magic. A 20- yard free kick was bent into the top corner majestically to make it 3 in 2 for the Dabbers number 10, now only four goals off becoming the joint 4th highest goalscorer in Nantwich history

Cooke so nearly got himself a hat-trick, Hutchinson again doing well to deny Sean from close range.

Callum Saunders, off the bench, was the latest to almost make it 3, once more Hutchinson keeping the scoreline respectable by tipping his effort over the bar. ATHERTON COLLIERIES – MATCH REPORT

But the hard work had been done and the Dabbers return to Cheshire victorious, 6 points from 6 and yet to concede a goal from open play. A tough trip to the Yorkshire coast to face Whitby on Saturday though, is sure to put those impressive records under the spotlight.

Teams:

Atherton Collieries: Hutchinson, Smith, Peet, Doyle (Kershaw, 55), Hansen, Amado, Conway, Sephton, Glass (Cusani, 55), Lenehan, Rokka (Martin, 74)

Subs not used: Battersby

Red card: Conway, 60

Nantwich Town: Terry, Stair, Bourne, Harrison, Langley, Hughes, Haywood, Lawrie, Miller (Saunders, 77), Montefiori (Walsh, 79)

Subs not used: Webb, Hatton

Attendance: 270

ATHERTON COLLIERIES 0

NANTWICH TOWN 2 Cooke (24 pen, 65)

CLUB ROUND UP

FA YOUTH CUP

The FA Youth Cup starts for the 2021/22 season next Wednesday. Nantwich Town will host Lancaster City in the Preliminary Round.

Chris Lloyd whose team is in the North West Youth Alliance, will be hoping to have a good run in the competition but will face a good test from the Lancashire side.

Details are as follows:

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round – Wednesday 1st September 7.45pm Kick Off.

Adults £5, Concessions £3, U16’s £1 – Cash on Turnstiles

The winners will play at home to St Helens Town or Ashton United in the First Qualifying Round, the week commencing Monday 13th September.

LADIES FOOTBALL

Our ladies have completed their pre season with a 4-0 win against Runcorn Sports. Kirsty Fisher-Sherratt scored a brace with Marni Williams and Emily Fallon both scoring as well.

The ladies will start their league campaign away at Sandbach United on Sunday 5th September with a 2pm Kick Off. With the Women’s FA Cup match to take place away at Didsbury on Sunday 12th September 2pm.

RESERVES FOOTBALL

Our Reserves have had a couple of games recently, they had a difficult game on Saturday 14th August at home against Macclesfield FC Reserves, with many players unavailable they sadly lost 11-3 despite 2 goals from Bailey Hall and a goal from Callum Parker

However, they recovered well on Saturday 21st August with a respectable 2-2 draw away at unbeaten West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves. With David Neligwa and Callum Parker both scoring.

They now look forward to host Avon Villa at 2pm on the Applewood Independent 3G on Saturday 28th August. WHITBY TOWN – MATCH REPORT

Nantwich fell to their first defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss to Whitby Town in North Yorkshire.

The game was defined by big moments and most of these went the hosts’ way today. The first example of this came in the first 10 minutes, Troy Bourne finding space down the right and putting in a good low cross that was scuffed towards goal by (pictured above). A firmer contact and it may have been a very different match.

Thommy and the returning Matty Devine combined down the left but ended up getting in each other’s way as they both tried to get a shot in.

On 20 minutes, Whitby took the lead in some style. A run towards the ball by Liam Cooke managed to draw out Josh Langley from his centre back position, meaning when the ball reached Jacob Hazel, Bourne was scrambling to cover.

The confusion made a bit of space for Hazel, who according to the Whitby staff is ‘all left foot’, and proved it with a fantastic strike into the top left corner which left Cameron Terry no chance.

Prince Haywood dragged a shot wide from just outside the box shortly after, before centre-back Lewis Ritson made the first of several marauding runs forward and hit straight at Terry.

Hazel was threatening the Dabbers goal once more not long before half-time, curling narrowly wide off that left foot again from the right side.

Then Thommy got a snapshot on target from a narrow angle to test Shane Bland just before the half-time whistle.

10 minutes into the second half, Whitby doubled their lead. The rapid Josh MacDonald had been giving Devine a torrid time down the Whitby right, leading to two players marking him whenever he got on the ball.

This time though, he was able to isolate Devine, who backed off him having been scarred before, meaning he could fire a low shot in past Terry who may have been unsighted by the defender.

Another big moment didn’t go the Dabbers way on the hour mark, substitute David Webb squaring the ball across the face of goal for who missed his touch, and it surely would have been a goalscoring one. WHITBY TOWN – MATCH REPORT

Whitby right back Nathan Dyer forced a good save from Terry with what was a goal bound effort, before the game ended badly for the Dabbers.

Caspar Hughes was sent off on 78 minutes after two quick yellow cards for fouls on Hazel.

His frustration can be traced back to an incident around the time of the second goal. Hazel had a firm hold of Hughes’ shirt, so firm in fact that a large tear could be seen down the middle of it afterwards. Not even a foul was awarded by the referee Michael Burrows, who dismayed both sets of fans throughout with a seeming over- reliance on his assistants to make decisions for him.

All in all, a day to forget for the Dabbers, but a chance to make it right quickly against Matlock on Tuesday night.

Teams:

Whitby Town: Bland, Dyer, Sukar, Griffiths, Ritson, Rowe, MacDonald (Hackett, 71), Hawkins, Hazel, Giles (Fewster, 65), Cooke (Shepherd, 73)

Subs not used: Burn, Gell

Nantwich Town: Terry, Bourne, Devine, Harrison, Langley, Hughes, Haywood (Hatton, 64), Lawrie (Webb, 50), Miller, Cooke, Montefiori (Saunders, 59)

Subs not used: Thompson, Walsh

Red card: Hughes, 78

Attendance: 416

WHITBY TOWN 2 Hazel (20), MacDonald (56)

NANTWICH TOWN 0 VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

As the new season is underway, the Club is looking for additional volunteers to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the club and to help deliver the match day experience.

Dabbers Chairmen Jon Gold says “As most people will be aware, Nantwich Town is a community club and a non-commercial enterprise, for the community and the local area and we are all proud of the part we play within the town. The club’s viability is made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers, whose commitment, skills and time in all areas, ensures that the club continues to thrive and play an active part in our community and as we develop, we are looking for more people in all areas, who have some spare time, no matter how little this maybe, to join our team and help share in our continue development and success”.

Do you have any spare time?

Would you like to give that spare time to your local Football Club?

Do you have specific skills and knowledge that could help us?

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then please contact Lyndon Wain our Community Development and Volunteer Manager [email protected]

You may be retired? or just have some free time? We are looking for people who are interested in the following:

General Maintenance, Plumbers, Administrators, Match Day Stewards, Bar Staff, Grass Pitch Maintenance, 3G Maintenance, Electricians, First Aiders, Football Coaches, Other Sports Coaches, Schools Liaison Officer, Match Day Refreshment Sellers, Painters, General Cleaners, Plant Maintenance Technicians, Welfare Officers, Safeguarding Officers, Security, Marketing, Fund Raising, Media (Social Platforms, Written, Digital, Video, Radio, Broadcast).

In return we offer Induction Training, a friendly and welcoming environment, free tea and coffee whilst you are at the club, the chance to socialise and interact with likeminded people additional training where required and only if desired and Free Admission to all our games.

Please contact [email protected] we will be delighted to welcome you and discuss things further with you.

NANTWICH TOWN – PLAYER PROFILES

CAMERON TERRY (Goalkeeper) Cameron joined the Dabbers this summer after a season with Widnes. Cameron has had a very promising pre-season with Nantwich Town and has been awarded the number 1 shirt for the upcoming season.

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 , where he not only won the Northern Premier Division in 2017-18, he helped the Robins reach the 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.

Jack HATTON (Defender) Jack joined the Dabbers from Widnes in the summer. The young full back has good pedigree spending his youth at Bury FC and is able to play both left and right back. Jack had hoped to play for Ytterhogdal in Sweden, however due to the pandemic despite moving and training there didn’t play. He returned to England and signed for Widnes in August 2020. NANTWICH TOWN – PLAYER PROFILES

CASPAR HUGHES (Midfielder) CLUB CAPTAIN 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 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.

DAVID WEBB (Midfielder) David joined the club after impressing in 2019-20’s pre-season series, with the midfielder capable of filling in across the pitch. Webb has displayed a good range of passing and an indefatigable attitude to his trial spell with the club. David has Northern Premier League experience having featured for Marine, and along with playing on Merseyside, Webb has also played for the Royal Air Force’s side.

JAMES LAWRIE (Midfielder) A former Northern Ireland youth international, James joined the club from Hednesford Town prior to the 2018-19 season. An experienced head in the dressing room, the attacking midfielder has played not only at a higher league level but internationally as well. The midfielder has an eye for goal, a great passing range and is also a threat from set-pieces.

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 for the last couple of years and was spotted and invited to Nantwich and subsequently signed. Thommy is a technically gifted winger having come through at All Boys FC in Buenos Aires. Having shone during pre-season we hope he carries this into the upcoming season.

PRINCE HAYWOOD (Midfielder) Prince signed from fellow Premier Division club Radcliffe in January 2020. Ghanaian born, Prince previously played in Italy and has had spells with several different clubs in the North West at the non-league level, having played for Stalybridge Celtic, Colwyn Bay and Witton Albion. NANTWICH TOWN – PLAYER PROFILES

JOE MWASILE (Midfielder) A powerful winger with pace to match anyone in the league, Joe joined the club in 2016-17 originally after starting the campaign with Marine. He left at the end of the season to join fellow Cheshire outfit Warrington Town but re-joined the Dabbers in October 2017 after featuring in limited minutes for the Wire. Joe can not only beat his man for pace and strength but can put in a decent cross and has an eye for goal, having scored a few lovely efforts during his time with the club. A product of the Morecambe academy.

LUKE WALSH (Midfielder) Luke joined the club in the winter of 2018-19 after impressing for Eccleshall in the North-West Counties Football League and made a solid step up to the Dabbers’ level, holding his own against EFL League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra in his debut. A wide player who can also play through the middle, Walsh is another product of the Crewe Alex academy.

SHAUN MILLER (Striker) 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 .

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.

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.

CALLUM SAUNDERS (Forward) Callum re-signed for the club from Curzon Ashton in November 2019 after previously being with Nantwich Town during the 2018-19 season having been released by League Two side Notts County at the end off the 2017-18 season.

Saunders began his career in the Crewe Alexandra Academy and signed a professional contract with the club in June 2014. He made his Football League debut on 9 August 2014 in a 2–1 defeat away at Fleetwood Town and scored his first Crewe goal at Doncaster on 12 December 2015.

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.

PITCHING IN NPL RESULTS & FIXTURES

Results - Saturday 21st August 2021

Fixtures - Tuesday 24th August 2021 (7.45pm KO)

Ashton United vs Whitby Town Basford United vs Stafford Rangers Buxton vs Mickleover Gainsborough Trinity vs Scarborough Athletic Hyde United vs Grantham Town Lancaster City vs Stalybridge Celtic Morpeth Town vs Bamber Bridge Nantwich Town vs Matlock Town Radcliffe vs Witton Albion South Shields vs FC United of Manchester Warrington Town vs Atherton Collieries PITCHING IN NPL STANDINGS NANTWICH TOWN MATLOCK TOWN MANAGER MANAGER DAVE COOKE PAUL PHILLIPS

1 Cameron TERRY 1 Shaun ROWLEY

2 Joel STAIR 2 Jamie SHARMAN 3 Troy BOURNE 3 Reece KENDALL 4 Ben HARRISON 4 Sam EGERTON 5 Josh LANGLEY 5 Ryan QUALTER 6 Caspar HUGHES (C) 6 Mark LEES 7 Prince HAYWOOD 7 Alex BYRNE (C)

8 Callum SAUNDERS 8 Alex WILES 9 Shaun MILLER 9 Jerome GREAVES 10 Sean COOKE 10 Declan WALKER 11 Thommy MONTEFIORI 11 Jesurun UCHEGBULAM

12 Matty DEVINE 12 Ashton HALL

14 Jimmy LAWRIE 14 Lirak HASANI 15 Luke WALSH 15 Craig KING 16 Joe MWASILE 16 Jonathan WAFULA 17 Jack HATTON 17 Oli GREAVES

REFEREE: Oliver Nolan ASSISTANT REFEREES: Jordan Brooks & Matthew Knight

MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSORED BY: NANTWICH REFRIDGERATION SERVICES