The Vics Column - by Pete Tonge

WELL, after weeks of preparation and anticipation, the first day of the league season dawned.

Charnock Richard had done their bit and got all the necessary Covid-19 safety precautions in place for the big day and all was looking well.

Excitement for the Vics’ first league first match was mounting as the morning went on, despite the steady rainfall. Fortunately to pass the time, I had the pleasure of being able to pop down to Northwich Cricket Club to watch my younger son take part in the Charity Football Match between Tiny Steps and Vics’ All Stars.

This was a five-hour marathon match organised by one of Vics’ charity partners, the Tiny Steps Organisation whose aim is to provide a sensory play area and social cafe for children with additional needs and their families in the local area.

This organisation had been set up six years ago by Vics’ supporters Martin Clifton and Scott Burstow inspired by Martin’s daughter Connie.

The rain continued to pour down but it was a privilege to be able to watch the players including Vics’ legends Michael Carr and Steve Walters give their all for such a great cause.

For more information on their work and aims, please go to their website www.tiny-steps.co.uk.

I watched for a couple of hours in the pouring rain before heading back to get ready for the journey up to Charnock Richard. A quick phone call to Vics’ Secretary Dave Thomas elicited the information that there was a pitch inspection due at around quarter past one so the next few minutes was spent scrutinising twitter for the yay or nay.

Twenty past one, and the tweet from Charnock came, match on! However the final words of the tweet “for now” did have that feeling of doom about them.

However, my car crew gathered and we set off on the thankfully relatively short journey up the M6 towards Charnock through the rain and spray.

Then just as we had got off the M6 at J27, we got the dreaded phone call from Chairman Brian Turner, ‘ “Match off…but hold on the ref is still looking, it might be on…no, it’s off” ! Seeing as we were so close, we carried on and had a pleasant drink in the Charnock Clubhouse with Brian and manager Steve Wilkes.

At least the postponement enabled Steve to scout our next next opposition Warrington Rylands by watching their FA Cup match against York City which was being shown on the Clubhouse TV. Every cloud has a silver lining I suppose.

So after all the build up to the new season, it turned out to be a damp squib.

Let’s hope our home match on Wednesday 7th against Warrington Rylands goes ahead. it should be a cracker !

Finally, many congratulations to Northwich Vixens who managed a brilliant victory against Sheffield Wednesday in the Women’s FA Cup competition on Sunday,