Widnes F.C.

Widnes Football Club are an English association football club, based in Widnes, Cheshire. They are currently members of the Northern Premier League Division One North West, playing their home matches at Halton Stadium, Widnes. They are affiliated to the Liverpool County FA.

Full nameWidnes Football Club
Nickname(s)The Whites
Founded2003 (as The Dragons A.F.C.)
GroundSelect Security Stadium, Widnes, Cheshire
Capacity13,350
ChairmanIan Ross [1]
ManagerSteve Akrigg & Kevin Towey (Joint Managers)
LeagueNorthern Premier League Division One North West
2019–20Northern Premier League Division One West (season abandoned)
WebsiteClub website

History

Early years: 2003 to 2012

The club was founded in February 2003 as The Dragons A.F.C. by former secretary Bill Morley as a local junior football club. In 2008, the club was awarded the FA Charter Standard Development award for its continuous development of grassroots football.

2012 to present

In March 2012, Widnes Dragons began a consultation process with Widnes Vikings RLFC to become part of the Vikings Sports Brand, a partnership that was agreed to enhance the club's community status.

On 10 July 2012, at the club's AGM, the club's members unanimously agreed to become a part of the Widnes Sports Group and agreed on a 12-month transitional period up to the end of that current season (2012–13). The next step in the club's progression was made in season 2013–14 when Widnes Vikings FC was admitted into the football pyramid and placed within North West Counties Football League Division One.

In March 2014, the club's committee called an EGM for its members to decide on the future of the club. A unanimous vote was made that the club was to move away from the Vikings brand and to restructure the club to secure its own identity and long-term future. Subsequently, the club parted ways with the Vikings brand and became known as Widnes Football Club, which was symbolic in representing where the team and its fans came from whilst recognising that a new club needed to be built to establish confidence in the local community and support young local talent in Widnes.

In 2016, a change in board structure lead to the appointment of Ian Ross as Chairman with a Board of Directors being established.[2] Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard were appointed joint managers, replacing previous manager Steve Hill who left the Club following the end of the 2015-16 season.[3] However, following an indifferent start to the season, Meadowcroft and Pritchard left the Club and were replaced by Joey Dunn, who was subsequently appointed manager.[4]

The season ended on a highly successful note as under Dunn's management, Widnes were crowned North West Counties Football League Division One Champions with a game to spare after a 5-1 win at AFC Blackpool.[5]

In summer 2017, the club began to re-establish a youth section with the introduction of a development squad[6] and two junior teams at Under 7 and Under 9 age groups.[7]

Despite Dunn's resignation early in the 2017-18 season,[8] the club enjoyed yet another highly successful season. Senior players Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey were appointed joint player managers,[9] leading the club to promotion to the Northern Premier League and victory in the final of the North West Counties Challenge Cup against Burscough.

Season-by-season record

Crest and colours

Since its foundation, the club has always worn a white home strip. They currently play in black shorts and white socks. The club's away kit is all yellow.

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

YearKit ManufacturerMain Shirt SponsorBack of Shirt Sponsor
2013–14O'NeillsStobartPolyblend
2014–2016InvestecTax Architects
2016–18MacronPolyParts.co.ukNone
2018–20Northern Premier League Football AcademyNone
2020-Hallmark SecurityNone

Stadium

Widnes moved into the Halton Stadium in 2012, ahead of their debut and so far only season in the West Cheshire League. They played their first home game at the stadium against Chester Nomads Reserves on 1 September 2012. The club's highest attendance at the stadium is 462 set on 22 April 2017 against Charnock Richard.

Current squad

As of 22 December 2020

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK  ENG Cameron Terry
DF  ENG Michael Burke (Captain)
DF  ENG Ben Hampson
DF  ENG Jack Hatton
DF  ENG Shaun Holden
DF  ENG Alex McQuade
DF  ENG Tom Moore
DF  ENG Jay Roberts
MF  ENG Sam Adetiloye
MF  ENG Jack Banister
MF  KVX Fisnik Hajdari
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  ENG Matthew Jefferson
MF  ENG Ryan Jennings
MF  ENG Jordan Southworth
MF  ENG James Steele
MF  ENG Danny Ventre (Player/Coach)
MF  ENG Kingsley Williams
FW  ENG Michael Conlon
FW  ENG Ryan Gibson
FW  ENG Amir Hajri
FW  ENG Kyle Sambor
FW  ENG Kevin Towey (Player/Joint Manager)

Club officials

Boardroom

Role Name
Chairman Ian Ross
Director David Day
Director Gareth Hartley
Director Glenn Littler
Director John McKeown
Club Secretary Adrian Bevan
Club Development Officer Bill Morley
Youth Development Officer Lindsey Davies

Coaching staff

Role Name
Joint First Team Manager Steve Akrigg
Joint First Team Manager Kevin Towey
First Team Coach Danny Ventre
Goalkeeping Coach Garry Williams
Physio Ron Cook
Sports Scientist Kelly Aspinall

Managerial history

As of 22 December 2020
Manager Nationality Period Total
GWDLWin %
Paul Pennington England2012 721428.57
Steve Hill England2012–2016 14346217632.17
Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard England2016 951355.55
Danny Salt (interim) England2016 310233.33
Joey Dunn England2016-2017 533661167.92
Steve Akrigg and Nick Matthews (interim) England2017 100100.00
Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey England2017- 13864264846.38

Records

Team records

  • Record league victory 8 goals:
  • Record home victory 8 goals:
  • Record league defeat 9 goals:
  • Record home attendance:
  • Lowest home attendance:
  • Longest unbeaten league run:
    • 16 games, 25 November 2017 to 31 March 2018
  • Most league games won in a row:
    • 14 games, 4 March 2017 to 12 August 2017
  • Most league games lost in a row:
    • 6 games, 14 March 2015 to 18 April 2015
  • Most league games without a win:
    • 12 games, 21 September 2019 to 01 January 2020
  • Best league performance:
  • Best FA Cup performance:
    • First Round Qualifying 2019-20
  • Best FA Trophy performance:
    • Extra Preliminary Round 2018-19
  • Best FA Vase performance:
    • Second Round Qualifying 2014-15
  • Best Liverpool Senior Cup performance:
    • Semi-final (3 times)[10]

Honours

  • North West Counties League
    • Premier Division runners-up 2017–18
    • Division One champions 2016–17
    • League Cup winners 2017-18

References

  1. All change at Widnes FC "All change at Widnes FC". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. All change at Widnes FC "All change at Widnes FC". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. New Management Team at Widnes FC "New Management Team at Widnes FC". Hallmark Security League. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. Announcement "Announcement: Dunn Deal!". Widnes Football Club. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  5. Champions! "Champions!". Widnes Football Club. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  6. Development squad launched "Development squad launched". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  7. Junior Setup Launched "Junior Setup Launched". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  8. Club Statement: Joey Dunn departs "Club Statement: Joey Dunn departs". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey appointed joint managers "Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey appointed joint managers". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. "LCFA Mens Senior Cup". www.liverpoolfa.com. Liverpool County FA. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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