NORTHWICH Victoria have appointed Brenden Johns as their new goalkeeping coach.

He previously had the same role at Cheadle Heath Nomads.

Johns has worked with other clubs in this country as well as overseas, including in Major League Soccer with Chicago Fire.

After meeting up with manager Steve Wilkes, he said he was looking forward to getting started and added: “I am really impressed with the vision of the club, style of play and philosophy along with the use of data and game analysis similar to what I was doing with the goalkeepers at Cheadle Heath Nomads.”

Vics play their first pre-season friendly away to Llandudno on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

They have added a further pre-season game to their calendar, a fixture dear to the club’s hearts.

They will visit Coppull United on Tuesday for the George Melling Memorial Trophy, kick-off 7.15pm.

Melling, who played for both clubs, lost his battle with motor neurone disease in April.

The Motor Neurone Disease Association will be an official charity partner of Vics for the 2022/23 season.

Coppull’s Blainscough Park ground is located in Springfield Road, PR7 5EJ.

Tickets are £3 with juniors aged 15 and under free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult.

Northwich Guardian:

Meanwhile, Barnton, who also commence their pre-season friendly campaign this Saturday, have added a fixture to their calendar in memory of local footballing legend Terry Murphy.

The inaugural Terry Murphy Memorial Cup game will be contested between The Villagers and Middlewich Town at Barnton's Townfield ground on Tuesday, July 12, kick-off 7.30pm.

Organisers of the game say that money raised from bucket collections and donations from the 'gate' receipts will go to the charity of the Murphy family's choice.

Terry died, aged 79, in August 2019.

He had worked at ICI, had a long association with football in the area and served the Winnington and Castle Ward on Northwich Town Council.

Terry had spells as manager of Witton Albion, where he was most recently a scout, Northwich Victoria, Winsford United, Barnton, Middlewich Town and Lostock Gralam.

Northwich Guardian:

The clash will be Barnton's third of their pre-season schedule, which starts at home to City of Liverpool on Saturday.

They will host neighbours Witton Albion a week later and have also planned in a trip to Runcorn Sports on Saturday, July 16, before hosting their ground tenants 1874 Northwich on Tuesday, July 19, and then Altrincham FC on Saturday, July 23.

Their pre-season admission prices are adults £5, concessions £3, under 16s free. Adult tickets for the five home games can be bought off the club in advance for £20.

Winsford United's seven friendly matches also start this weekend.

They visit Cheadle Town on Saturday and Stockport Town on Monday.

Home games against New Mills and 1874 Northwich follow on Saturday, July 9, and Tuesday, July 12, respectively.

Blues will head to Bacup Borough on Saturday, July 16, entertain Nantwich Town on Tuesday, July 19, and then round-off at Pilkington on Saturday, July 23.

Saturday games all start at 3pm, with the night matches slated in for 7.45pm.

Admission prices for Winsford's home friendlies are adults £5, concessions £3, under 16s free.