Close-season football update from the 1874 Northwich camp

1874 Northwich’s preparations for the new season are continuing.

A new signing, a key retention, a change of friendly and appointments of permanent chairman and vice-chairman are among this week’s headlines.

Richard Stockton, who stepped up from vice-chairman at the end of March when Steve Richardson vacated the role for health reasons, has now been formally appointed in the position by the board.

And John Coats is in place as the vice-chairman.

Richardson, meanwhile, has recovered well and will be back on the terraces at the start of the new season.

Defender Vinny Wright, 18, will be among the players he will get to see having agreed to sign for the club following graduation from the Morecambe Academy.

“I am very excited to be signing and believe I can bring a positive impact to the team,” said Wright.

“I’m hoping that my signing will help bring more winning results for the team and I can also further my development as a player under the gaffer, Steve Burr and Mark Reed.”

Manager Chris Herbert is delighted to have got his man.

“Vinny comes in with good pedigree, he was part of a very strong Morecambe team and when I’ve watched him he always had lots of energy, good pace and technically was good.

“He suits the style of play we are looking for. He can play both full-back roles as well as centre half. His versatility will be huge to us throughout the season.”

Meanwhile, 74 have retained the services of highly sought after central defender, Matty Fenton.

The 23-year-old, who first joined the club through their under 21s in the 2021/22 season, took over as captain last term in order to help interim player-managers Mark Jones and Matt Woolley.

He has scored nine goals in 86 appearances so far and he was both the Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season for 2023/24.

1874’s pre-season fixture away to Runcorn Town has been cancelled and instead they will head to Lower Breck on Friday.

Greens lost to Airbus UK Broughton in their second friendly on Saturday, 1-0.