[FM19] (One of) the biggest English towns to never have a team in the English football league

[Jambo_]

Warrington Town - Est. 1949

 

Having been living in Warrington for the majority of my life, I once heard the fact that it was the biggest town in the country to never have a team in League 2 or above. I'm not sure how true this fact is and can't find any verification so that's why I've added the brackets!

Warrington Town are currently in the Northern Premier League Premier Division (7th tier), and are probably most famous for beating Exeter City in the FA Cup 1st round live on BBC2 in 2015.

Warrington

Warrington is a large town in Cheshire directly between Manchester and Liverpool, probably more famous for its rugby league team the Warrington Wolves than the football team. The estimated population in 2017 was 209,700 making it the largest town in Cheshire.

Warrington Town Football Club

Warrington Town FC, nicknamed The Yellows or The Wire, were originally established in 1949 under the name of Stockton Heath Albion, changing to their current name in 1961. Home games are played at the 2,000 capacity Cantilever Park, named after the Cantilever Bridge that overlooks the stadium (pictured below). Their highest ever league position was achieved in the 2017/2018 season where they finished 3rd in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. 

Squad

A very small squad to start with, with some definite room for improvement. Despite this, we're still one of the favourites for promotion to the Conference League North. 

Definitely need to find a better goalkeeper and probably need some improvement in defence. Some stars across the park in David Raven, Mark Roberts, Jack Mackreth, Rob Evans & Jack Dunn. Major injuries in key positions could definitely kill any promotion hopes for the season with barely any transfer funds or available space on the wage bill.

 

Will I be able to take Warrington Town to the football league? Who knows, but it should be a fun journey!

[withnail316]

Nice idea, but it's not accurate. Salford, Dudley and Croydon are all larger (Palace's ground is in the borough of Croydon but not in the city perimeter). 

Good luck anyway, man!

[Jambo_]

Pre-Season 2018

Solid pre-season, with plenty of goals scored but also a lot conceded - a 5-4 loss to Wrexham and a 5-3 win over Northwich shows that we can score but may struggle to keep teams out. Attempts to sign a goalkeeper haven't gone well, with scouts not really helping me out so I will keep looking.

 

Interesting draw in the FA Cup 1st qualifying round...

A big Cheshire derby!

[Jambo_]

August 2018

My fears of conceding a lot of goals definitely came true in the first month of league fixtures, with a 4-3 defeat to Buxton opening the season. Being 4-1 down I was hoping to be able to get a point when we pulled back to 4-3, but it wasn't to be. Played the majority of the game against Matlock with 10 men and managed to get a well deserved late equaliser. Was very happy to come back from 2-1 down to score twice in the last couple of minutes against Whitby, scoring in the 89th and 92nd minutes to win 3-2. Another last minute win followed against Nantwich, with Jack Dunn scoring in the 91st minute.

I'm halfway through September currently and forgot to screenshot so no August table to bring you...

[Jambo_]

1 hour ago, withnail316 said:

Nice idea, but it's not accurate. Salford, Dudley and Croydon are all larger (Palace's ground is in the borough of Croydon but not in the city perimeter). 

Good luck anyway, man!

Facts you hear in the pub before a football game aren't usually from a reliable source!

 

Thanks!

[Jambo_]

September 2018

A brilliant unbeaten month. If we could improve our defence we'd be really getting somewhere. Good to get to the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup too, hoping to go as far as I can in the FA Cup for the finances.

League table

A good start to the season overall, Gainsborough have started the season on incredible form and will be hard to keep up with if they can keep their form up.

Our draw for the 3rd qualifying round:

First time we'll be facing a team higher up in the ladder than us, but hoping it will be a winnable game.

[Pompeyboyz]

12 hours ago, withnail316 said:

Nice idea, but it's not accurate. Salford, Dudley and Croydon are all larger (Palace's ground is in the borough of Croydon but not in the city perimeter). 

Good luck anyway, man!

I had actually heard that it is Wakefield thats the largest town...but hey ho

[withnail316]

3 minutes ago, Pompeyboyz said:

I had actually heard that it is Wakefield thats the largest town...but hey ho

It's a pub quiz type question, really. Croydon has a population of nearly 380,000, so it's a tough one to top.

[Pompeyboyz]

6 minutes ago, withnail316 said:

It's a pub quiz type question, really. Croydon has a population of nearly 380,000, so it's a tough one to top.

The one about Wakefield is that Wakefield is the largest City to not have had a football league team, but Wakefield is actually a small place of only 75k population, while it's metropolitan area is about 4 times the size as it takes in Featherstone and Ossett. 

[Jambo_]

October 2018

More cup games than league games in October, including brilliantly getting through to the FA Cup 1st Round after beating Solihull Moors in a replay. Disappointed to be out of the FA Trophy at the 1st hurdle, but still in the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup. Was also disappointing to lose against South Shields, but back to back 1-0 wins against Grantham and Hyde kept us going in the league.

League Table

Currently just outside the play-off places but got games in hand to catch up because of our cup games. Bamber Bridge seem to be running away with the league now, Gainsborough's early from has dropped off.

Draw for the 1st round:

Beat Solihull from the VNL at home, so hoping to be able to beat Barrow from the same league at home too. Definitely a winnable fixture.

Signings

Managed to make 2 signings in October, Marcus Williams (32 year old left back) on a free transfer until the end of the season who made his debut against Boston United in the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round.

Owen Wheeler (20 year old GK) signed on a non-contract agreement to try and reduce the amount of goals we concede, and made his debut in the FA Cup replay against Solihull.

[SmileFaceGamer]

20 hours ago, Jambo_ said:

September 2018

A brilliant unbeaten month. If we could improve our defence we'd be really getting somewhere. Good to get to the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup too, hoping to go as far as I can in the FA Cup for the finances.

League table

A good start to the season overall, Gainsborough have started the season on incredible form and will be hard to keep up with if they can keep their form up.

Our draw for the 3rd qualifying round:

First time we'll be facing a team higher up in the ladder than us, but hoping it will be a winnable game.

I got here too late to say this’ll but sorry... Up the pilgrims (yes we did lose to an eight tier side in the cup this year)

Edit: saw the result... can’t really say I’m suprised we lost tbh

[Jambo_]

November 2018

Disappointed to be out of the FA Cup but happy to get to the 1st round, very good financially for us too. Wasn't a good performance against Basford to lose 3-2, but did much better in the other 3 league games. Creating chances every game and with Tony Gray playing, we're bound to score goals. Bohan Dixon also gets a lot of goals for a CM.

League table

Still just outside of the play-offs but with 3 games in hand on the teams above us (4 on Basford). Hoping to win all 3 and close the gap on Bamber Bridge to 2 points.

Signing

One new signing this month - Jack Dyche joins on loan from Guiseley so I can give Dylan Vassallo a bit more rest time as he was our only ML. Made his debut in the 5-2 win over Stafford, getting an assist for the first of Tony Gray's hat-trick.

[WillHoward42]

I will be following 

[Nobby_McDonald]

Very good start Jambo.

[Jambo_]

December 2018

A very good, busy December with plenty of goals scored but also a lot of goals conceded which is still a worry. Luckily we're outscoring teams in a lot of games. The back to back 4-3 wins against Bamber Bridge and Gainsborough were huge as they remain the top 2.

Table

In 3rd but still 2 games in hand on the 2 teams above us, win both of them and we're top. Looks like play-offs are pretty much guaranteed but I want to keep fighting for that important top spot.

Signing

Another new signing this month as I try and bulk the squad out a bit for good rotation - Kyle Harrison joins on a free transfer from Hyde. Good to sign him to weaken Hyde's chances too.

The search for a right midfielder goes on...

[Rikulec]

Interesting start, will be following.

[Jambo_]

Thanks all!

[Jambo_]

January

Starting to dominate more games which is good, but still some poor performances and results. North Ferriby have been in and around the relegation zone all season and I have drawn twice to them. Poor performance at Scarborough too.

Table

Top of the table but need to keep getting positive results to try and stretch the lead from Gainsborough and Hyde, Bamber Bridge are dropping off.

Signing

Jonathan Hirst becomes our second goalkeeper on a non-contract agreement to try and free up some space on the wage bill. 37 year old Tony McMillan went to League 2 Cheltenham (!!!) on a free transfer, and Jay McCarten joined Nantwich on a free transfer. They weren't getting any game time so was a waste of wages to keep them.

[Jambo_]

February

Just the 4 matches this month. Was 3-0 down at half time against South Shields and slammed the team at half time, but they came out firing in the 2nd half and could have won it had it not been for a late South Shields equaliser to make it 4-4. Good wins followed against Farsley and Stalybridge, but the month ended poorly with a draw in a re-arranged fixture against Grantham that should have been played on the 16th had it not been for a waterlogged pitch.

Table

Sit 2nd in the table, 1 point behind Gainsborough. 4 points clear of Bamber Bridge but with only 1 automatic promotion spot, things need to improve.

Youth Intake

Only 1 real talent in my first youth intake of my time at Warrington, and I'll probably be looking to use him in the first team pretty soon looking at finances and the amount of right midfielders available on the market at the moment.

[Jambo_]

March

Another good month, managed to grab a point last minute against Hyde. 10 points from 12 is a very good return. Also got through to the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup Semi Final where we'll play Leek.

Table

In second place still, but with a game in hand because our game against Basford was postponed - we need a better pitch. Win and we're joint on points. Helped us a lot that Gainsborough lost 8-3 to Buxton, massively reduces their goal difference.

Signings

First new signing is left back Reece McNally, who comes in mainly as a replacement for Marcus Williams who'll be leaving at the end of the season.

Mikey Quigley also joins on a non-contract agreement after having an impressive trial to provide cover up front.

 

This is what they call the business end of the season...

[Jambo_]

April

April went superbly until the game against Bamber Bridge. beating Gainsborough was massive and put us 3 points clear at the top until we lost to Bamber Bridge. Also got to the final of the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup by beating Leek on penalties.

Table

So, going into the final day and it's all to play for. Gainsborough are away to Mickleover while we're at home to Scarborough. If we both win, it comes down to who wins by the bigger amount. If we better their result, we've won the league...

[Jambo_]

Last game of the season

So, we need to better Gainsborough's result to gain promotion.

Went behind but responded well and ended up winning 3-1, which means that due to their goals scored Gainsborough just need any victory to finish top...

I have a new favourite player and his name is Evan Garnett! His 92nd minute equaliser means we finish top of the table...

A long, hard season where we were pushed all the way but delighted to finish 1st. Will be a big season next year in the National League North but I'll be doing all I can to finish as high as possible. But before that, there's a cup final to play!

[Nobby_McDonald]

Exciting final day approaching Jambo.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Damn it, you beat me posting by about a second.

Well done winning the league.

[Northernpilgrim]

Congrats on promotion Jambo

[Jambo_]

NPL Challenge Cup Final

 

We've done the double! I thought it was gonna be heartbreak when they equalised in the 93rd minute, but we managed to win on penalties. Luke George also had a very eventful game, scoring our goal and getting sent off in the 2nd half. Very happy with how the season's gone, now to move on to preparing for the National League North.

[Jambo_]

21 minutes ago, Nobby_McDonald said:

Damn it, you beat me posting by about a second.

Well done winning the league.

 

20 minutes ago, Northernpilgrim said:

Congrats on promotion Jambo

Thanks both, been a great first season!

[Rikulec]

Well done.

[Jambo_]

End of season

Big news for the new season is:

We will be playing our "home" games in Leigh, not Warrington... at a stadium that was demolished in 2009. Tricky. Surely it would be much better to move to the Haliwell Jones Stadium, home to the Warrington Wolves which is pretty much in the town centre? Either way, I'll be requiring a new stadium as soon as possible, which is difficult financially.

[Woolly]

On ‎01‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 00:00, withnail316 said:

Nice idea, but it's not accurate. Salford, Dudley and Croydon are all larger (Palace's ground is in the borough of Croydon but not in the city perimeter). 

Good luck anyway, man!

Salford isn't actually a town, it is a city in it's own right which just happens to be stuck right next to Manchester. 

 

[withnail316]

28 minutes ago, Woolly said:

Salford isn't actually a town, it is a city in it's own right which just happens to be stuck right next to Manchester. 

 

Good point. One I regularly forget as it comes under the Greater Manchester umbrella. 

A bit like Gateshead as well, I guess. It's separate from Newcastle, but people treat them as the same place.

[Jambo_]

Pre-season 2019/20

Transfers

Last season's top scorer Tony Gray has also retired at the end of last season. Centre back Andy Parrish was signed and then released within about 3 weeks. It was important for me to have a much bigger squad than I had last year, and I also wanted to sign some young players who can play in the first team when needed.

Squad

A much bigger squad than we had to work with last season. A lot of the younger players (Rae, Duggan, McNally, Garrity, Quigley, Tavares to name a few) will be mainly in the u23 squad. Bohan Dixon and Adam Carden can both leave if any bids come in for them.

Friendlies

A good pre-season. The last friendly against Leicester was purely for the income.

[Jambo_]

August 2019

Wow. Great start with a 2-1 win over Kidderminster, then 2 mental games against Chester and Brackley. To score 4 goals per game in 2 games and not win either is mad. Special mention to Alex Honeyball who didn't score at all last season in 42 games, scores three goals in the first 2 games of the season.

Table

Hoping to create a gap between us and the relegation zone and see how good a season we can have.

[Jambo_]

September 2019

Really good month. Still conceding a lot of goals but scoring a lot too which is important. Through to the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round away against Clitheroe.

Table

In the play-off places! Top half finish would be brilliant for our first season at this level. 

Signings

2 new signings this month, the first being 18 year old goalkeeper Jacob Carney. Got 3 keepers at the club already but all of them on non-contract agreements and was constantly getting offers for all 3 of them, so wanted to make sure I had a good keeper contracted.

George Harman joined on a free transfer to increase the options at left back.

[decapitated]

At what point if you travel up the league pyramid enough, does building a new stadium become mandatory do you think?

[Jambo_]

On 14/12/2018 at 20:03, decapitated said:

At what point if you travel up the league pyramid enough, does building a new stadium become mandatory do you think?

I'm not really sure, I'd like to stay at Hilton Park for as little time as possible but at the minute building a new stadium isn't an option financially so will just have to make do.

 

Hopefully if I get to League 2 I can start to get the board to consider a new stadium.

[Jambo_]

October

October was a really good unbeaten month. We somehow let a 2-0 half time lead slip against Clitheroe for them to draw, but made no mistake in the replay or in the 4th qualifying round against Leamington. We're away to Maidstone United from the VNL (the league above) in the 1st round so hopefully we can get further. League form is also going very well, winning 2 and drawing 1 against Boston United.

Table

Flying high in the table and we're now looking to go way beyond pre-season hopes of escaping relegation.

Transfers

Just the one transfer to talk about this month and it's an outgoing - Elliot Green who joined in a free transfer in July leaves for £5k in October to Merstham from the Bostik League Premier Division.

[Jambo_]

November

A tough month with a lot of fixtures. Got a huge tie against Bristol City in the FA Cup 2nd round that was chosen for television and had a crowd of 4,625 so will be massive for the club financially. Was disappointing to lose 1-0 as I thought the game was quite even and the goal came from a Raven defensive mistake. Disappointed to be out of the FA Trophy straight away, but now we can focus on the league and maybe push for a play-off place.

Table

Sitting outside the play-offs but with games in hand due to our cup commitments. Hopefully can keep the form up and stay in and around the play-offs.

[Jambo_]

December

A very busy and inconsistent month. Some good wins mixed in with some poor results, Did very well to beat Blyth 2-0 away who were top at the time.

Table

Just outside the play-offs but it's very tight with only 4 points separating 2nd and 9th. Kidderminster is our next game at home so that's an important one for the play-offs.

Transfers

James Hooper has come in on a free transfer from Stourbridge to give us another option at left midfield. Made his debut in the 2-0 win over Ashton, then went off injured in his second game against Bradford PA and was ruled out for 2 weeks.

Jack Dunn has left to join Basford on loan until the end of the season. Good player, but I don't play his natural positions so hard to fit him in.

[Jambo_]

January

4 wins and 2 losses in 6 games makes it a good month. Conceding a lot less now which is a big positive. Only league games left so hoping to carry some good form through to the end of the season.

Table

Sitting in 3rd and hoping to secure a play-off place.

Transfers

Liam Langford has joined on a free and signs on a non-contract agreement. One in one out again as Reece McNally joins Stourbridge on loan.

[Jambo_]

February

A good month until the Boston game. Three clean sheets too was important, and we'd won 6 in a row until the Boston game. Supposed to play St Neots on the 29th but it was postponed.

Table

Still sitting in the play-off places which would be a great achievement in our first season in this division. Some important games coming up to finish the season.

Youth Intake

I doubt we'll be seeing any of these near the first team.

[Jambo_]

March

Steady month. Need to stop going behind. Was 2-0 down against Blyth and Leamington, so was pleased to get 4 points from those 2. Also pleased to take points off Telford, Blyth and Leamington who are around the play-offs with us.

Table

6 points clear of 8th with 6 games left. Also only 5 points off top and if we finish the season strongly, anything's possible...

Transfers

No players coming in, but Theo Hudson who was on a non-contract agreement has been poached for free by Barnet from the VNL. Makes me think twice about having so many players not contracted to the club.

[Jambo_]

April & May

Thought I'd put the final league game of the season with April to finish the league season. First 4 results were very good, the final 2 not so much. Hopefully we improve again into the play-offs.

Table

York go up as champions, and we face Tamworth (who we faced in the final game of the season) at home in the first round of the play-offs. Win that and we face Kidderminster. Can we get back to back promotions?

 

[Jambo_]

Play-Offs

Our first game of the play-offs was at home to Tamworth, with the winner going through to the semi final against Kidderminster.

A great performance! Our strikers seemed to have an off day, but luckily our two centre midfielders were on hand to provide the goals.

So, onto Kidderminster to get into the play-off final...

An unbelievable performance, including a first half hat-trick from Niall Huggins. The result was never in doubt. In the other semi final, Blyth beat Telford 3-1 which means it's Warrington v Blyth at Hilton Park in the play-off final!

[Jambo_]

Play-off Final

A great chance for back to back promotions and get to the Vanarama National League with a home play-off final against Blyth...

We've done it! A hugely cagey, even game but a Rob Evans strike from outside the box gets us promotion!

A lot of building now needs to be done for a squad that can compete in the VNL, and hopefully the board will let me improve some of the facilities too to help us.

[Rikulec]

Great achievement.

[Jambo_]

End of Season

Our big squad managed to get us promoted, and as you can see a lot of our main players will be staying for another season. Still some contracts to sort out too. David Raven retired before I managed to get a screenshot.

Rob Evans rightly wins fans' player of the season, probably just for the goal that got us promoted more than anything but he's had an excellent season. Pastorek had a great season at LM.

 

[Jambo_]

13 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Great achievement.

Thanks a lot! 

[decapitated]

Well done

[Nobby_McDonald]

Well done winning promotion Jambo.