Programme prize for Witton (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton's Albion Review is rated as the best in Evo-Stik NPL Division One North last season

5:22pm Friday 1st June 2012 in Witton By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

WITTON supporters read the best programme in Evo-Stik NPL Division One North during the club’s promotion season.

Organisers of the annual Soccer Club Swap Shop awards rated the Albion Review as a must-see before kick off on match day at the Help for Heroes Stadium.

It rated third among the 66 Northern Premier League clubs.

“A programme is a major part of a fan’s match day experience,” said Phil Watkins, a judge for a competition that has run for each year for close to two decades.

“It is the first contact a supporters has with a club after paying at the turnstile, so a good one can often persuade that person to spend more money during their visit.”

Albion Review was edited last term by Jamie Thompson, a friend and work colleague of first team manager Brian Pritchard.

Like the boss, he was a first timer in the role.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and one we should be proud of,” said Thompson.

“I’d like to thank all the contributors; this is a prize that recognises their efforts.”

Only Premier Division pair Rushall Olympic, fifth overall, and Stafford Rangers finished higher in the national standings.

Albion placed inside the top 50.

Watkins said: “Witton have won awards before but stopped sending in an entry a few seasons back.

“A friend of mine picked up a pile for me when he visited Cheshire earlier this year, so we had enough copies to judge.”

He said that initial impact, statistical content and articles on other teams at the club were among the criteria each entry is judged upon.