HERE it is; 1874 Northwich’s calendar for a new season in the North West Counties League’s top-flight.
Their fourth term in the Premier Division will be the first they start without Ian Street in charge.
Instead, newly-appointed co-managers Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison have been busy building a squad they hope can challenge for promotion.
Their opening game, on Saturday, August 12, sends them to Burscough – a team relegated from the Northern Premier League at the end of last term.
Barnton visit St Luke’s Barton Stadium in midweek before Padiham head south seeking to repeat a 2-1 victory they recorded in Winsford in March.
September includes a visit from promoted City of Liverpool, Ryan Mitchell’s new club.
Meanwhile October promises much.
A first league meeting with Northwich Victoria precedes a clash with old foes Runcorn Linnets.
After that, Street is due in town for the first time since his departure when he brings his Congleton sided across Cheshire.
A trip to Bootle, runners-up last season, brings down the curtain on a month to savour.
The return meeting with Barnton follows in November before Vics pay a visit in December.
On Boxing Day, 1874 play a now-traditional derby with landlords Winsford United.
The return game is scheduled for Easter Monday.
With an extra two games to fit in after the division expanded to 23 teams, the campaign concludes on the first Saturday in May when Northwich travel to Squires Gate.
Here is 1874’s Premier Division fixture list for 2017-2018 in full:
August
12 Burscough (a)
15 Barnton (h)
26 Padiham (h)
September
02 Abbey Hey (a)
05 Ashton Athletic (h)
16 Charnock Richard (a)
19 City of Liverpool (h)
30 AFC Darwen (h)
October
03 Northwich Victoria (a)
07 Runcorn Linnets (h)
10 Congleton Town (h)
14 Widnes (a)
21 Squires Gate (h)
28 Bootle (a)
November
01 Barnton (a)
04 Barnoldswick (a)
11 Hanley (h)
15 AFC Liverpool (a)
18 West Didsbury & Chorlton (h)
25 Padiham (a)
29 Runcorn Town (a)
December
02 Northwich Victoria (h)
09 Runcorn Linnets (a)
16 City of Liverpool (a)
23 Maine Road (h)
26 Winsford United (a)
30 Irlam (h)
January
06 Congleton Town (a)
13 AFC Liverpool (h)
27 Burscough (h)
February
03 Abbey Hey (h)
10 Maine Road (a)
17 Runcorn Town (h)
24 AFC Darwen (a)
March
03 Ashton Athletic (a)
17 Barnoldswick Town (h)
24 Bootle (h)
31 Hanley Town (a)
April
02 Winsford United (h)
07 Irlam (a)
14 Widnes (h)
21 West Didsbury & Chorlton (a)
28 Charnock Richard (h)
May
05 Squires Gate (a)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here