THE 1874 COLUMN – A different perspective, by Matt Waters

1874 is more than just the team on the pitch.

Over the past six and a half years we have established a community and a real football family, something we are all proud of.

Since our inception in 2012, we have never looked back.

What was once one of the most difficult decisions by leaving the club we loved has now turned into one of the best.

The beauty of the fans run club we chase created is that we are accountable for the way it is run.

It is not just down to the individual, it’s everyone’s responsibility.

We wanted a community club to call our own, and it’s exactly what we’ve got.

We chose the name; we chose the colours, we chose the badge, showing from the offset, that 1874 is a community, not just the first team on the pitch.

This year, arguably is the most important in our club’s history so far, as we are playing in Northwich for the first time.

This may not be our permanent home, but it allows us to continue with the excellent community work headed up by Steve Richardson in our home town.

Since the season began, we have linked with local charities such as The Samaritans and Mid Cheshire Food Bank.

Alongside this we have supported local companies and built up great relationships with them serving match day catering.

Lean Body Kitchen and Bombay Quay have been supplied us with their products so far this season which has been well received by all supporters.

It’s not only linking up with local businesses and charities that makes 1874 a community, it is the ethos of the club itself.

As a club we were formed on principle because we were unhappy with another’s.

On a match day this year more than ever, you can feel the positive atmosphere around the club, as we are delivering results on the pitch and getting national attention on social media including the National Football Museum.

Our new away is just another example of our work in the community as it was local artist Phil Galloway who designed our new strip inspired by our towns architecture.

To those who sell 50/50 and Golden Goal tickets on a match day to those who patrol the Barnton streets to make sure parking is respectful to the residents, 1874 club which caters for all, right from our U7s to the First Team.

We pride ourselves on the difficult decision we made seven years ago.

But looking back on it now, those 141 members of the supporters trust created something very special in 1874.