Focus is on finding home, says trust (From Northwich Guardian)

1874 Northwich says its priority now is to find a temporary home for its first season

8:26pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Football By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

A NEW football team in Northwich hopes it will be able to announce shortly with which club it will share a pitch from next season.

If the Football Association recommends 1874 Northwich plays in the North West Counties League, the competition the club has applied to join, then its landlord needs to be equipped to host matches at that level.

“That’s the focus of our effort,” said Paul Stockton.

“There are lots of steps to take on the journey we have started, although it’s obvious that having a place to play is a very important part of the jigsaw we are piecing together.”

The deadline to have a deal done is the end of March.

Mr Stockton, chairman of Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust whose members in November voted almost unanimously in favour of a proposal to form their own club, said 1874 Northwich’s temporary home for at least its first two seasons could be at one of three grounds in mid Cheshire.

“Without naming them I’m sure people will be able to guess who they are,” he told the North West Counties League last week.

“We’re in negotiations with each.”

It is the biggest clue yet as to where 1874 Northwich intends to host opponents when it starts to play matches.

Previously, it had referred only to ‘local’ neighbours as potential landlords.

Mr Stockton added: “We hope to be able to make an announcement by late February or early March.”

In a statement earlier this month, the North West Counties League said the game’s governing body had acknowledged, and would pass judgement on, 1874 Northwich’s request to start life at step six in the non-league pyramid.

New clubs usually enter the National League System a level lower – the Cheshire League for example – but the FA can make an exception if it feels one is appropriate.