Last season’s position: Seventh

An assessment of the previous campaign can be viewed only through the prism of a remarkable run in the FA Vase that took 1874 to within a victory of playing in the final at Wembley.

That historic sequence, coupled with a best-yet performance in the FA Cup and a (very) wet winter, left them with a fixture backlog that dashed any hopes of mounting a late charge for one of the two promotion places up for grabs.

Tired legs, not to mention minds, did what they could in extraordinary circumstances.

Story of the summer

It has to be the return of striker Matthew Beadle.

The 30-year-old has missed a sizeable chunk of pre-season after getting married and then going on honeymoon, and will need some time to get up to speed.

However a record of 61 goals in 74 appearances during his first spell at the club is ample proof that he can be a match-winner at this level.

New recruits

Matthew Beadle FOR (free agent); Callum Gardner FOR (from Winsford United); Josh Samberg GK (from Burscough)

Pre-season quote

“To demonstrate that we’ve taken another step forward then it’s probably fair to expect that we’ll be in contention for promotion when the season enters its closing stages.”

Wayne Goodison (co-manager)

How is August looking?

Aug 4, City of Liverpool (h); Aug 11, Burscough (a) (FAC); Aug 18, Abbey Hey (h); Aug 20, Whitchurch (a); Aug 25, Padiham (h); Aug 27, Northwich Victoria (h)

1874 Northwich: fixtures 2018-2019

Management team’s main challenge

Striking a balance between attack and defence.

Only the two teams that were promoted, champions Runcorn Linnets and Widnes, conceded fewer goals than 1874 Northwich.

However despite the heroics of Scott McGowan who scored 31 times in the league, they also netted the fewest of teams that finished inside the table’s top 10.

The arrival of Matthew Beadle should take some of the burden off McGowan, while Kyle Riley will weigh in as well if given time on the field.

If Wayne Goodison and Paul Bowyer choose to play more often with two strikers, then they sacrifice some defensive solidity.

Last season’s results: W24 D7 L13

First name on the team-sheet

Jack Pritchard

Played more than 60 games for the club las season following a transfer from Congleton, and was almost unrecognisable at the end of the campaign from the player that arrived.

He’s now a commanding, and mature, presence in the team’s defence who can consider himself an integral to 1874’s hopes of challenging for the title.

Perhaps one of their biggest triumphs of the summer is keeping him at Barton Stadium.

No longer with them

Rory Fallon MID; Greg Hall GK (to Witton Albion); Danny Meadowcroft DEF (to Prestwich Heys); Shelton Payne FOR (to Radcliffe); Jack Woolley FOR (to Winsford United)

Past five seasons: Seventh; Fifth; Fourth; Third; Third (and promoted)

Pre-season results

Jun 30, Lostock Gralam (n) 2-2; Jul 07, Alsager Town (a) 3-1; Jul 14, Llandudno (a) 0-0; Jul 17, Knutsford (n) 3-0; Jul 21, Leek Town (a) 1-6; Jul 24, Mossley (a) 0-3; Jul 28, Middlewich Town (h) 5-1