NORTHWICH, after three failed attempts to win promotion to the National League playing against rivals from the north west, have moved to a different division.

The Moss Farm men will play in the Midlands Division One West next season after officials approved a transfer request by the club from the equivalent section in the north.

Their number one aim, to play at the highest level in the club’s near 50-years history, will remain the same.

Northwich have finished in fourth place in the past two seasons, struggling to replicate a campaign in which they came runners-up to Lymm in 2010.

That year they lost a promotion play-off at Sandal, the closest they have come to stepping onto the national stage.

With newly-promoted Sale FC already favourites to win North One West next term, Northwich chairman Sam Naylor feels Blacks may not be motivated by playing for second spot.

Instead the club hopes to copy the achievement of Cheshire neighbours Sandbach, who were rewarded with promotion after topping then Midlands Three West five years ago.

“We can learn from that,” said Naylor.

“Clearly we are stepping into the unknown a bit, but turning our attention to something completely different might be just the tonic we need.”

Pick up this Wednesday's Guardian for more, including reaction from Northwich chairman Sam Naylor.