A FOOTBALL supporter says he has no regrets about asking fellow fans two years ago to vote in favour of setting up a new club.

Tony Rogers needed 20 signatures on a petition to force the then Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust to call a meeting of its members to give their verdict on his proposal.

He admits he was worried about how they would react.

“I wasn’t sure anybody would be willing to put their names to something I assumed would be controversial,” he said.

“I felt numb, isolated even, wondering whether we were making a mistake.

“But there was optimism as well.

“Looking back I have no regrets at all; the situation was ripe and the timing spot on.”

On November 15, 2012, a total of 141 fans of 145 who cast a vote at Lostock Social Club backed his motion to send out a side of their own at the start of the following season.

The following July, 1874 Northwich played a first match down the road.

Last weekend, they played out a goalless draw in the North West Counties League’s top flight on the second anniversary of that meeting at Works Lane.

Rogers said: “If you’d told me then the club would be where it is now, I’d have thought you were crazy.

“But 1874 hit the ground running and that momentum carried us to promotion at the end of our first season, albeit unexpectedly following Formby’s demise.

“Off the pitch, the board, volunteers and fans have been amazing in their efforts to build relationships with the local community and businesses.”

Rogers read from a prepared script the words that made up his motion.

A shy public speaker, he said it was the best way to get across his message.

Asked to read it again now, he said: “It seems lots of trust members liked the idea of starting their own club.

“All they needed was some positive thinking and a bit of a shove in that direction by 1 plus 20!

“The past two years have been a whirlwind, but if 1874 didn’t kick another ball I’d still be happy.”

He counts that friendly at Lostock Gralam among his favourite memories, as well as 1874 collecting a first piece of silverware when lifting the Supporters Direct Shield.

A first FA Cup encounter earlier this season is high on the list too.

Of course, there is room for new memories too.

Rogers said: “I’d like to see 1874 set up a junior section. It would be great to see kids wearing 1874 kit around town – I’m certain it would be popular.”