The 1874 Column - a different perspective with Matt Waters

WITH 1874 now competing in our seventh season and our first in Northwich, with the club currently lying in third place, things couldn’t be going better for all of us at 1874.

We have our own club ran superbly by volunteers who work tirelessly every week right from the very top, including chairman Brian Edge.

Before Saturday’s win versus Skelmersdale United, I caught up with Brian to talk all things ‘74’.

When I asked Brian what 1874 meant to him, he replied: “1874 means many things but first and foremost it’s about providing football for a very dedicated group of supporters and a community.

“It’s a special club where our supporters put their all in home and away, and we listen to them.

“We’ve got an excellent committee and hardworking management and if the players and supporters are enjoying themselves, then we must be doing something right.”

Ever since 1874 formed it has been much more than just a football club, it’s a community, and Brian agreed.

He said: “Today, (speaking on Saturday), we’re collecting for the Northwich foodbank.

“It is something which we’ve done every year.

“We’re not just one man’s football team, we’re for everyone.

“We had a group of fans climb Snowdon with a shirt and an ironing board to show off the club and we are looking forward to working with Northwich based companies in the future.”

Saturday was a big day off the field for the club too as we had a visit from the National Football Museum who were creating a piece on the club, especially our new away kit designed by local artist Phil Galloway.

This was something that Brian said our late chairman Paul Stockton would have been proud of.

He added: “Paul would have been extremely proud of everyone at 1874 especially on a day like today.

“He shared 1874 with everyone, I think about Paul every day I miss him, but he’d be immensely happy at how the supporters have continued his hard work.”

When talking about the aims for this season, Brian said: “We are having another good season so far.

“Although it is disappointing to be out of the FA Vase early; but we got some money from that and the FA Cup.

“We are performing well in the league, but we know that only three or four teams can be successful in a season, and we want to be one of them.

“The great thing about 1874 is that we know that our supporters will always back the team no matter what and they deserve success.”

1874 are away to Avro on Saturday, 3pm, and then play host to Congleton Town on Tuesday, 7.45pm.