IN an attempt to make themselves stand out, 1874 Northwich are considering a suggestion from supporters that they should rebrand.

Vice-chairman Brian Edge told the Guardian the club are looking to promote themselves better, including perhaps updating their crest, although there are no plans to change their name or colours.

“The timing feels right to be having this conversation,” he said.

“It’s exciting, and we’re prepared to think outside the box.

“After three years, we’re established as a football team.

“But it’s important to ask if we’ve made the impact we’d have liked in town."

1874 play home matches at Barton Stadium, in Winsford, but host social events and forums for fans in Northwich.

At a meeting last week three supporters, John Darcy, Ashley Dobell and Ben Clark, shared their ideas about how the club could distinguish themselves more from their rivals – in particular Northwich Victoria.

Formed in 2012 by individuals unhappy at how Vics were being run, they chose colours and a name with links to their old team.

“In hindsight, that’s caused problems,” said Darcy.

“It’s confusing when trying to promote the club to the wider public.”

After three seasons hosting opponents at Stafford and then Flixton, Vics returned to Northwich last year after agreeing a deal to share Witton Albion’s ground.

That arrangement will continue next term.

Edge said: “I’m made up when somebody asks me how the ’74 are getting on.

“For me, communication is the main thing to get right.

“We’re great when we’ve got people face-to-face, but probably less so when it’s come to spreading word wider than that.”

1874 finished fourth in the North West Counties League’s top flight last term, their second in the Premier Division.

Crowds were smaller, down 14 per cent on the previous campaign, than when they classified third in their debut season at the same level.

That drop can be blamed in part on not playing a home game for three months because of successive postponements prompted by a prolonged spell of wet weather.

“It’s easy to say we want more people to come to games, but we have to give them a reason.

“A winning team helps, obviously, but it’s not just that.

“This is a club owned and run by its supporters, and we want those same people to enjoy watching their favourite team with a smile on their face.

“But we’d also quite like 1874 Northwich to be around for generations to come, and that means thinking ahead and not just accepting what we have.

“Sometimes you can be too close to things, and think you’re doing ok. It might take somebody looking in from the outside to point out the opposite.

“In my opinion, that’s healthy.

“These three approached the board, and asked if we’d like to listen to their ideas.

“They’ve grasped that we can’t just stand still.”

He stressed nothing has been decided and supporters, when the time is right, will be able to vote on major changes – such as any to the badge.

Darcy, Dobell and Clark included proposals for how 1874’s website, match-day programme and social media channels might be redesigned or improved.

The trio will now meet again with Edge, and other board members, to discuss what happens next.

“We’re not greedy people, and don’t want to stray far from the reasons we’re here in the first place,” added Edge.

“But here we have supporters with time, and who are willing to get involved.

"We’ll always listen to them.”