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The next two seasons were affected by the turmoil caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Coronavirus Pandemic]]. Widnes finished the abandoned 2019-20 season in 12th, as well as the curtailed 2020-21 season in the same position.
The next two seasons were affected by the turmoil caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Coronavirus Pandemic]]. Widnes finished the abandoned 2019-20 season in 12th, as well as the curtailed 2020-21 season in the same position.


As football returned to normal in the 2021-22 season, Widnes endured a poor start to the season, resulting in the club parting company with Managers Kevin Towey and Steve Akrigg. Former [[Ashton Town F.C.|Ashton Town]] manager David Dempsey was hired, and not only guided Widnes to safety, but turned the side into one of the form teams in the second half of the season, boasting an impressive unbeaten run at home. Dempsey also led his side to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, where they were beaten on penalties by [[Bootle F.C.|Bootle]], this being the clubs best run to date. Success under Dempsey was short lived as Widnes began the 2022-23 season in very poor form, failing to win any of their first five league games and seeing their FA Cup run ended by [[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties]] side [[Bury A.F.C.|Bury]]. Subsequently, Widnes and Dempsey went their separate ways. Widnes moved quickly to hire Michael Ellison,<ref>MICHAEL ELLISON APPOINTED AS NEW WIDNES MANAGER {{cite web | url=https://www.widnesfootballclub.co.uk/news/michael-ellison-appointed-as-new-widnes-manager-2730247.html| title=Michael Ellison appointed as new Widnes manager|work=Widnes Football Club|access-date=15 Nov 2022}}</ref> who began the season with [[City of Liverpool F.C.|City of Liverpool]]. Performances under 'Ello' quickly improved, and Widnes were able to pick up their first league win of the season away to newly promoted [[Hanley Town|Hanley]].
As football returned to normal in the 2021-22 season, Widnes endured a poor start to the season, resulting in the club parting company with Managers Kevin Towey and Steve Akrigg. Former [[Ashton Town F.C.|Ashton Town]] manager David Dempsey was hired, and not only guided Widnes to safety, but turned the side into one of the form teams in the second half of the season, boasting an impressive unbeaten run at home. Dempsey also led his side to the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy, where they were beaten on penalties by [[Bootle F.C.|Bootle]], this being the clubs best run to date. Success under Dempsey was short lived as Widnes began the 2022-23 season in very poor form, failing to win any of their first five league games and seeing their FA Cup run ended by [[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties]] side [[Bury A.F.C.|Bury]]. Subsequently, Widnes and Dempsey went their separate ways. Widnes moved quickly to hire Michael Ellison,<ref>MICHAEL ELLISON APPOINTED AS NEW WIDNES MANAGER {{cite web | url=https://www.widnesfootballclub.co.uk/news/michael-ellison-appointed-as-new-widnes-manager-2730247.html| title=Michael Ellison appointed as new Widnes manager|work=Widnes Football Club|access-date=15 Nov 2022}}</ref> who began the season with [[City of Liverpool F.C.|City of Liverpool]]. Performances under 'Ello' quickly improved, and Widnes were able to pick up their first league win of the season away to newly promoted [[Hanley Town|Hanley]].


===Season-by-season record===
===Season-by-season record===
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|[[2016–17 North West Counties Football League|2016–17]]||[[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties League]] Division One||42||30||6||6||117||50||96||1/22||—||Second qualifying round||Quarter-final||Promoted
|[[2016–17 North West Counties Football League|2016–17]]||[[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties League]] Division One||42||30||6||6||117||50||96||1/22||—||Second qualifying round||Quarter-final||Promoted
|-style=background:#90EE90
|-style=background:#90EE90
|[[2017–18 North West Counties Football League|2017–18]]||[[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties League]] Premier Division||44||30||6||8||102||52||96||2/23||Extra Preliminary Round||First qualifying round||Semi-final||Promoted
|[[2017–18 North West Counties Football League|2017–18]]||[[North West Counties Football League|North West Counties League]] Premier Division||44||30||6||8||102||52||96||2/23||Extra preliminary round||First qualifying round||Semi-final||Promoted
|-
|-
|[[2018–19 Northern Premier League|2018–19]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One West||38||15||6||17||60||61||51||12/20||Extra Preliminary Round||Extra Preliminary Round||Semi-final||
|[[2018–19 Northern Premier League|2018–19]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One West||38||15||6||17||60||61||51||12/20||Extra preliminary round||Extra preliminary round||Semi-final||
|-bgcolor="yellow"
|-bgcolor="yellow"
|[[2019–20 Northern Premier League|2019–20]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One North/West||31||9||10||12||47||49||37||12/20||First Qualifying Round||Extra Preliminary Round||First Round||Season Abandonded
|[[2019–20 Northern Premier League|2019–20]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One North/West||31||9||10||12||47||49||37||12/20||First qualifying round||Extra preliminary round||First round||Season Abandonded
|-bgcolor="yellow"
|-bgcolor="yellow"
|[[2020–21 Northern Premier League|2020–21]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One West||9||2||2||5||8||15||8||12/19||Preliminary Round||Second Round Qualifying||Competition not held||Season Curtailed
|[[2020–21 Northern Premier League|2020–21]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One West||9||2||2||5||8||15||8||12/19||Preliminary round||Second round qualifying||Competition not held||Season Curtailed
|-
|-
|[[2021–22 Northern Premier League|2021–22]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One West||38||13||8||17||47||46||45||13/19||||||Competition not held||
|[[2021–22 Northern Premier League|2021–22]]||[[Northern Premier League]] Division One West||38||13||8||17||47||46||45||13/19||||||Competition not held||
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** 12th [[Northern Premier League|Northern Premier League Division One West]] [[2018-19 Northern Premier League#Division One West|2018–19]]
** 12th [[Northern Premier League|Northern Premier League Division One West]] [[2018-19 Northern Premier League#Division One West|2018–19]]
* '''Best FA Cup performance''':
* '''Best FA Cup performance''':
** First Round Qualifying [[2019-20 FA Cup#First Round Qualifying|2019-20]]
** First round qualifying [[2019-20 FA Cup#First round qualifying|2019-20]]
* '''Best FA Trophy performance''':
* '''Best FA Trophy performance''':
** Third Round Qualifying [[2021-22 FA Trophy#Third Round Qualifying|2021-22]]
** Third round qualifying [[2021-22 FA Trophy#Third round qualifying|2021-22]]
* '''Best FA Vase performance''':
* '''Best FA Vase performance''':
** Second Round Qualifying [[2014-15 FA Vase#Second Round Qualifying|2014-15]]
** Second round qualifying [[2014-15 FA Vase#Second round qualifying|2014-15]]
* '''Best Liverpool Senior Cup performance''':
* '''Best Liverpool Senior Cup performance''':
** Semi-final (3 times)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfa.com/cups-and-competitions/cups/2017-2018/lcfa-mens-senior-cup/results |title=LCFA Mens Senior Cup |website=www.liverpoolfa.com |publisher=Liverpool County FA |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=16 May 2018}}</ref>
** Semi-final (3 times)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfa.com/cups-and-competitions/cups/2017-2018/lcfa-mens-senior-cup/results |title=LCFA Mens Senior Cup |website=www.liverpoolfa.com |publisher=Liverpool County FA |date=16 May 2018 |access-date=16 May 2018}}</ref>

Revision as of 11:15, 7 May 2023

This article is about the association football club. For the rugby league club founded as Widnes F.C., see Widnes Vikings.

Full nameWidnes Football Club
Nickname(s)The Whites
Founded2003 (as The Dragons A.F.C.)
GroundDCBL Stadium, Widnes, Cheshire
Capacity13,350
ChairmanIan Ross [1]
ManagerMichael Ellison
2023–24Northern Premier League Division One West, 9th of 20
WebsiteClub website

Widnes Football Club are an English association football club, based in Widnes, Cheshire. They are currently members of the Northern Premier League Division One West, playing their home matches at the DCBL Stadium, Widnes. They are affiliated to the Liverpool County FA.

History

Early years: 2003 to 2012

The club was founded in February 2003 as The Dragons A.F.C. by former secretary Bill Morley as a local junior football club. In 2008, the club was awarded the FA Charter Standard Development award for its continuous development of grassroots football.

2012 to present

In March 2012, Widnes Dragons began a consultation process with Widnes Vikings RLFC to become part of the Vikings Sports Brand, a partnership that was agreed to enhance the club's community status.

On 10 July 2012, at the club's AGM, the club's members unanimously agreed to become a part of the Widnes Sports Group and agreed on a 12-month transitional period up to the end of that current season (2012–13). The next step in the club's progression was made in season 2013–14 when Widnes Vikings FC was admitted into the football pyramid and placed within North West Counties Football League Division One.

In March 2014, the club's committee called an EGM for its members to decide on the future of the club. A unanimous vote was made that the club was to move away from the Vikings brand and to restructure the club to secure its own identity and long-term future. Subsequently, the club parted ways with the Vikings brand and became known as Widnes Football Club, which was symbolic in representing where the team and its fans came from whilst recognising that a new club needed to be built to establish confidence in the local community and support young local talent in Widnes.

In 2016, a change in board structure lead to the appointment of Ian Ross as chairman with a board of directors being established.[2] Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard were appointed joint managers, replacing previous manager Steve Hill who left the Club following the end of the 2015-16 season.[3] However, following an indifferent start to the season, Meadowcroft and Pritchard left the Club and were replaced by Joey Dunn, who was subsequently appointed manager.[4]

The season ended on a highly successful note as under Dunn's management, Widnes were crowned North West Counties Football League Division One Champions with a game to spare after a 5-1 win at AFC Blackpool.[5]

In summer 2017, the club began to re-establish a youth section with the introduction of a development squad[6] and two junior teams at Under 7 and Under 9 age groups.[7]

Despite Dunn's resignation early in the 2017-18 season,[8] the club enjoyed yet another highly successful season. Senior players Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey were appointed joint player managers,[9] leading the club to promotion to the Northern Premier League and victory in the final of the North West Counties Challenge Cup against Burscough.

Widnes' first season at Step 4 brought mixed success. Early exits in the FA Cup, FA Trophy and League Cup meant The Whites only had the league to focus on. Joint managers Towey and Akrigg guided Widnes to a solid mid table finish, despite ending the season as one of the leagues form sides.

The next two seasons were affected by the turmoil caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Widnes finished the abandoned 2019-20 season in 12th, as well as the curtailed 2020-21 season in the same position.

As football returned to normal in the 2021-22 season, Widnes endured a poor start to the season, resulting in the club parting company with Managers Kevin Towey and Steve Akrigg. Former Ashton Town manager David Dempsey was hired, and not only guided Widnes to safety, but turned the side into one of the form teams in the second half of the season, boasting an impressive unbeaten run at home. Dempsey also led his side to the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy, where they were beaten on penalties by Bootle, this being the clubs best run to date. Success under Dempsey was short lived as Widnes began the 2022-23 season in very poor form, failing to win any of their first five league games and seeing their FA Cup run ended by North West Counties side Bury. Subsequently, Widnes and Dempsey went their separate ways. Widnes moved quickly to hire Michael Ellison,[10] who began the season with City of Liverpool. Performances under 'Ello' quickly improved, and Widnes were able to pick up their first league win of the season away to newly promoted Hanley.

Season-by-season record

Crest and colours

Since its foundation, the club has always worn a white home strip. They currently play in black shorts and white socks. The club's away kit is all yellow.

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Year Kit Manufacturer Main Shirt Sponsor Back of Shirt Sponsor
2013–14 O'Neills Stobart Polyblend
2014–2016 Investec Tax Architects
2016–18 Macron PolyParts.co.uk None
2018–20 Northern Premier League Football Academy None
2020- Hallmark Security None

Stadium

Main article: Halton Stadium

Widnes moved into the Halton Stadium in 2012, ahead of their debut and so far only season in the West Cheshire League. They played their first home game at the stadium against Chester Nomads Reserves on 1 September 2012. The club's highest attendance at the stadium is 522 set on 18 December 2021 against Runcorn Linnets.

Current squad

As of 1 February 2022[11]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK England ENG Luc Rees (on loan from Fleetwood)
— GK England ENG Cameron Terry
— DF England ENG Kai Shorrock
— DF England ENG Matty Rain
— DF England ENG Michael Burke (captain)
— DF England ENG Louis Isherwood
— DF England ENG Tom Stephens
— DF England ENG James McCulloch
— MF England ENG Steven Irwin
— MF England ENG Jordan Simpson
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF England ENG Jordan Wynne
— MF Kosovo KOS Fisnik Hajdari
— MF England ENG George Hassall
— MF England ENG Sean Miller
— MF England ENG Stephen Rigby
— FW England ENG Jay Salkeld
— FW England ENG Keyni Mills (on loan from Mossley)
— FW England ENG Max Bardsley-Rowe (on loan from Macclesfield)
— FW England ENG Luke Sephton
— FW England ENG Will Jones

Club officials

Boardroom

Role Name
Chairman Ian Ross
Director David Day
Director Gareth Hartley
Director John McKeown
Club Secretary Adrian Bevan
Club Development Officer Bill Morley
Youth Development Officer Lindsey Davies

Coaching staff

Role Name
Manager Dave Dempsey
Assistant Manager Karl Bell
First Team Coach Tony Dunne
First Team Coach Chris Stammers
Kit Man Craig Patterson
Physio Ron Cook

Managerial history

As of 6 September 2022
Manager Nationality Period Total
G W D L Win %
Paul Pennington  England 2012 7 2 1 4 28.57
Steve Hill  England 2012–2016 143 46 21 76 32.17
Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard  England 2016 9 5 1 3 55.55
Danny Salt (interim)  England 2016 3 1 0 2 33.33
Joey Dunn  England 2016-2017 53 36 6 11 67.92
Steve Akrigg and Nick Matthews (interim)  England 2017 1 0 0 1 00.00
Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey  England 2017-2021 147 66 26 55 44.90
Michael Burke (interim)  England 2021 1 0 1 0 00.00
Dave Dempsey  England 2021- 42 15 11 16 35.71

Records

Team records

Honours

  • North West Counties League
    • Premier Division runners-up 2017–18
    • Division One champions 2016–17
    • League Cup winners 2017-18

References

  1. ^ All change at Widnes FC "All change at Widnes FC". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. ^ All change at Widnes FC "All change at Widnes FC". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. ^ New Management Team at Widnes FC "New Management Team at Widnes FC". Hallmark Security League. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. ^ Announcement "Announcement: Dunn Deal!". Widnes Football Club. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  5. ^ Champions! "Champions!". Widnes Football Club. 25 April 2017. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  6. ^ Development squad launched "Development squad launched". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  7. ^ Junior Setup Launched "Junior Setup Launched". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  8. ^ Club Statement: Joey Dunn departs "Club Statement: Joey Dunn departs". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  9. ^ Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey appointed joint managers "Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey appointed joint managers". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. ^ MICHAEL ELLISON APPOINTED AS NEW WIDNES MANAGER "Michael Ellison appointed as new Widnes manager". Widnes Football Club. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  11. ^ "First Team squad". Widnes FC. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  12. ^ "LCFA Mens Senior Cup". www.liverpoolfa.com. Liverpool County FA. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
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