AS the new football season looms large, Winsford United have lost the services of two of their 2025/26 star performers, including one to 1874 Northwich.
Blues' managers’ player of the year, Elliott Coleman, a defender with a knack for scoring goals, has joined the new-look 1874 squad being built by Rory Fallon for the club’s return to Northern Premier League West.
Winsford supporters’ player of the year, Blake Robinson, has also moved on over the past week, while strikers Ollie Pope and Matty Birchall have signed for Nantwich Town and Northwich Victoria over the off-season.
But with Coleman being the latest – and with the new Midland League Premier Division season starting at home to Dudley Town next weekend – this particular departure seems to have stung.
"We are disappointed that he reversed his decision to commit but we wish Elliott Coleman all the best as he signs for 1874," said a statement on Winsford’s X account.
Blues have been busy with recruitment, though.
Centre forward Jordan Johnson is back on board for a second spell with the club, ball-playing midfielder Harry Johnson has signed from Burscough FC, Regan Hughes and Harry McGowan are making the step up from the under 17s and Adam O’Mara has agreed terms to come in from Winsford Town.
As well as landing Coleman, 1874 have confirmed deals struck with central defender Emmanuel Sholabi, forward Jelani Blake from New Mills and Ben Crane from Northwich Victoria.
Meanwhile, Northwich Vics have brought in versatile right-sided player George Nugent from Vauxhall Motors.
Friendly matches continue to be played to prepare for the new campaign but concern is growing in non-league football about the state of hard and dry pitches following a long period of hot weather.
No such worries for the ‘carpet of a pitch’ at the U Lock It Stadium on Saturday where a 5-2 win was achieved against Runcorn Town, who agreed to switching the fixture because of concerns with their pitch and due to the short notice the game was played behind closed doors.
Goals came Tom Hoyle, two, James Steele, Freddie Garbutt and James Hooper.
Witton, depleted by seven injuries at the weekend, were then defeated 4-2 at home by Airbus UK on Tuesday for the Reg Hardingham Memorial Trophy and will host Vics this Saturday, kick-off 3pm in the Vijay Anthwal Memorial Shield.
For Vics, who were 3-2 winners at Droylsden on Tuesday night and drew 3-3 at Rhyal last Thursday, the clash with Witton will be their final warm-up game before their Midland League opener at home to Romulus on Saturday, August 1.
Elsewhere, 1874 Northwich lost 1-0 against West Didsbury & Chorlton on Tuesday in a match switched to the home of Maine Road because the Townfield pitch ‘wasn’t in a playable condition’.
Even their clash with landlords Barnton was moved to Moss Farm on Saturday when 1874 won 3-0 with nine triallists in the team.
1874 visit Stockport Georgians this Saturday and then Whitchurch Alport on Tuesday.
Winsford, who lost 1-0 at home against Barnton on Tuesday and by the same scoreline at Alsager at the weekend, complete their pre-season matches at home to Burscough on Saturday.
