Last season’s position: Sixteenth

Vics, uncertain of their place in the North West Counties League’s top-flight until mid-June last year, never really recovered from a poor start to the campaign that brought with it early exits from both the FA Cup and FA Vase.

Paul Moore resigned as manager in September, and was replaced by former Padiham boss Steve Wilkes.

He ensured they weren’t dragged into a battle for survival and – even if briefly – flirted with the possibility of finishing inside the top 10.

A side almost entirely reliant on the goals of Brian Matthews has been completely rebuilt.

Story of the summer

More than any individual signing, it’s perhaps the fact that Vics have gone from no-hopers – they finished 16th last season, after all – to the top of some observers’ lists as a favourite to finish first.

That is in large part due to the signings the club has made, and also the fact that they have a manager who knows what it takes to win the North West Counties League title.

Expectation has risen too at the end of a pre-season that yielded five successive wins.

New recruits

Mark Ayres DEF (from Padiham); Joel Brownhill FOR (from Ashton Athletic); Joe Camozzi DEF (from City of Liverpool); John Connolly MID (from City of Liverpool); Brad Cooke MID (from Atherton Collieries); Dominic Craig MID (from Padiham); Rob Doran FOR; Kirtis Monson DEF; Ryan Neild GK (from Witton Albion); Danny Taberner GK (from Ramsbottom United); Billy Webb FOR (from Widnes); Billy Whittle MID (from Southport)

Pre-season quote

“I said that I wanted to put together a side capable of challenging for honours, and I believe that we’ve done that.

“I’m not going to come out and say we’ll win the title, but I do expect us to be in the running.”

Steve Wilkes (Manager)

How is August looking?

Aug 4, West Didsbury & Chorlton (a); Aug 8, City of Liverpool (h); Aug 11, Widnes (a) (FAC); Aug 18, Winsford United (h); Aug 21, Burscough (a); Aug 25, Abbey Hey (h); Aug 27, 1874 Northwich (a)

Manager’s main challenge

Once he has settled on his strongest XI, then Steve Wilkes will need to persuade those forced to wait for a chance to be patient.

He has assembled a squad that is deeper, and more talented.

By his own admission, the most important part of his job is to get those he has recruited to buy into a philosophy that they’re all as important as each other if Vics are to contend for the title.

There is a fine dividing line between healthy competition for places and having frustrated players who believe that they should be out on the field.

Last season’s results: W17 D5 L22

First name on the team-sheet

Brad Cooke

Steve Wilkes identified that he needed leadership on the field, and perhaps his best signing of the summer is a midfielder that knows exactly what it takes to win the North West Counties League title.

In a note on their official website earlier this summer announcing his departure after six seasons, Atherton Collieries called him a ‘hero.’

“Our loss is another team’s gain,” it concluded.

No longer with them

Kieran Dale MID (to Abbey Hey); Michael Donlon GK; Oscar Durnin FOR; Jordan Grant DEF; Yaw Gyimah FOR; Daniel Johnson DEF; Adam Weston MID (to Skelmersdale United); Allen Weston DEF

Past five seasons: Sixteenth; 22nd (relegated from NPL D1S); Third (in NPL D1N); Fourth (in NPL D1N); Ninth (in NPL D1N)

Pre-season results

Jul 14, Lancaster City (n) 2-3; Jul 16, Ashton Town (a) 4-1; Jul 21, Garstang (a) 2-1; Jul 24, Witton Albion (a) 2-1; Jul 28, Prestatyn Town (a) 3-2; Aug 01, Southport under 21s (h) 3-0