FRIDAY afternoon and 1874 Northwich manager Ian Street has settled on the side he wants to start a match against Atherton Collieries the following day.

On the list is goalkeeper Matthew Conkie who, when the whistle blows, will become the first player to make 100 appearances in the club’s history.

But there’s a problem; the 34-year-old isn’t in the country.

“I was on holiday, and nearly missed my flight home,” reveals the custodian.

“I’d gone away for a short break after we’d won in the FA Cup the previous week, though the plan was to be back in time to play the following Saturday.

“I almost had to wait a bit longer to get my name in the record books!”

He is aware of the significance of his achievement.

Surprised too, for he was considering whether to carry on playing at all before answering a call from Street shortly after his appointment in April 2013.

“I hadn’t played much that season except for a few games at Rudheath,” says Conkie.

“I didn’t know what to do next.

“I’m a local lad from the green side of town, and had watched Northwich Victoria regularly for a good few years as a lad.

“I was aware 1874 had formed, and had been with Streety at Winsford.

“I probably wouldn’t have carried on playing if he didn’t call, so it was good timing.

“It’s unusual to have a chance now to start 100 games for a new club, to be the first to make it to that milestone.”

Conkie did make it back in time to play in Greater Manchester, a game the visitors won 3-1.

He did not keep a clearn sheet, but in the previous 99 matches the opposition was shut out 45 times.

“They aren’t down to me – I was a spectator for most of them,” he quips.

“It helps when there is a reliable defence in front of you.”

It’s something he is used to.

This is 1874’s third season, their second in the North West Counties League’s top flight.

And Conkie, along with Ryan Mitchell, Danny Thomas and Mike Brandon, is one of only a handful of regulars still at the club who played in the first fixture against Oldham Boro.

Since then, he has established himself as a fans’ favourite.

And not just because of a cameo standing alongside supporters on the terrace for a cup tie at Witton.

Indeed, in his day job at Roberts Bakery in Rudheath, he counts some as colleagues.

“They come and sit in my office to talk football,” he adds.

“It’s good to see them, and having a close connection with the fans is something the gaffer is big on because it’s an important part of what the club is about.

“I get a bit of stick and they tell me to stop going walkabout outside my box because it drives the blokes mad who stand with them.

“But since I was a lad I’ve been a frustrated outfield player. The trouble is I seem to get caught out more as I get older!”

Asked to reflect on his favourite games, it’s no surprise that the ‘firsts’ – a friendly at Lostock Gralam and that league encounter with Oldham – are top of the list.

An FA Vase win away to Bishop Auckland last season ranks highly too.

A vocal presence on the pitch, Conkie is not unafraid to share his opinions off it.

Indeed, he confesses he had to be convinced that accepting promotion to the Premier Division at the end of 1874’s debut campaign – following Formby’s demise – was the right thing to do.

He adds: “I wasn’t so sure.

“Of course we wanted to progress, but the fact only one team can be promoted to the Northern Premier League from our level is a problem.

“If you get a team that runs away with it, a bit like Glossop did last year, then it leaves everybody else with little to play for.

“But we did well as happens, and the gaffer was already starting to think about where we need to improve in the final few weeks of last year.”

Fast forward to the present, and a 2-1 defeat at home to Maine Road on Saturday was a third in their past four league matches.

It leaves 1874 eighth in the table, but Conkie insists he isn’t worried.

“This is the strongest group I’ve been part of,” he says.

“We’ve improved this year, and the squad is better. We’ve brought in good players, although [Matthew] Beadle has been a massive miss for us.

“I think we can go close [to promotion], but we want to try and win a trophy too.”

And how about sticking around for another 100 games?

He replies: “I thought you might ask me that!

“It’s possible. I’m 35 later this year, so could play on for another couple of seasons.

“As long as I’m feeling ok, I want to keep playing.”

Northwich Guardian:

1874 Northwich goalkeeper Matthew Conkie in action against Maltby Main last month