Monday 13th February

Following on from the recent announcement that a company has bought the Northwich Victoria Football Club Stadium a meeting took place today with representatives  from  Cheshire West and Chester Council, Sport England, The Football Stadium Improvement Fund, the Evostick league, Cheshire Football Association and the Football club. This meeting was purely a fact finding meeting about the current situation of which the main out come was that further meetings would be required in the coming weeks and months. In the mean time the football club will continue to source a suitable ground between now and the end of the 2011/2012 season. 

Sunday 12th February

To the fans

MONDAY marks one of the most important moments in my time at Northwich Victoria, the outcome of which could define the future of the club. For that reason I wanted to write this open letter.

I consider it a privilege to be the chairman of a football club with such a long and successful history as yours. And, contrary to some of the things said and written about me in the past few weeks by others that claim to have the best interests of the club at heart, I continue to.

It takes a huge amount of work to run a non-league football club the size of Northwich Victoria, let alone rebuild one.

I came to the club in 2007 when it was at rock-bottom, initially to be involved in a development role working with a reserve team and the club’s junior players. But that changed quickly as the full extent of the club’s problems, both on and off the field, started to become clear.

At the same time, I suffered a personal tragedy in my private life that left me with a decision as to whether I should walk away. After talks with my family, friends and, in particular, my late wife Phyl, I was persuaded that it was right to try to realise my ambition to build a football club.

By then the club had already got under my skin. It was in my blood.

I, along with a number of others working at the club at that time, decided to try to keep it alive without entering administration. In hindsight, that was a mistake. Together we paid out several hundred thousand pounds as costs spiralled and skeletons linked to the previous regime’s running of the club continued to come out of the closet.

Players were being paid more than the club could afford, leaving us with no option but to enter administration in 2009. That was a turning point, and from that point I vowed to rebuild the club from its roots and to trust in what I believed was possible when I first arrived.

I’d like to thank those people that have helped me since that moment, in particular Rob Millington and Ray Small who run Northwich Victoria’s junior section. Fans are welcome to view and download the Northwich Victoria Youth Development Plan.

I’d like as well to mention Dave Smith, who authored a development plan for an infrastructure at the Victoria Stadium site that could serve to support the club long into the future. Derek Nuttall and Dave Thomas who betwen them have given a lifetime of work with little or no reward.Joe Biddle also having given many years of loyal service to the club.

I’ve made mistakes, many of them, in the past four years. Given good health, and an opportunity to continue as chairman, I will likely make a few more. But I am not too proud to hold up my hands and admit it. I also vow to work hard each day to avoid repeating them.

That said it is disappointing when a minority of supporters, at the slightest sign of stormy waters, jump into lifeboats and start to row in the opposite direction. While they do, others stay behind to try to find a solution to the problems that arise.

I’d like to go on record expressing my sincere gratitude to those supporters, both of this club and others, for your support and best wishes during what is unquestionably a tough moment.

Together we have experienced many highs, and also lows, but I remain convinced that we share the same desire to keep alive Northwich Victoria so it can add new chapters to that illustrious history.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Rushe

Wednesday 8th February

We're continuing talks with the council with regards to establishing premises for a Club Shop within the centre of Northwich.

Brief talks took place on Tuesday between myself and Thor Chemicals. Talks were amicable and I confirmed the format and structure for the Club going forward, and left Mr. Hewitt of Thor Chemicals with the opportunity to resume talks when Thor are in a position to do so. We are encouraged by Thor's recent statement to secure a viable long term option and we look forward to further talks.

We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the footballing community. If you would like to send a message of support please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Monday 6th February

Northwich Victoria Club Chairman Jim Rushe and Derek Nuttall will attend a meeting next Monday 13th February with Sport England, The Football Foundation, the local council and planning department and the FA to discuss plans on how the Club can move forward from the current situation.

In the interim, negotiations with other clubs are ongoing regarding the remaining fixtures.

In addition, we would like to thank everyone for the massive support we have received; via emails, text, phone calls, twitter and other social media. The general consensus is that we continue to fight for what is the right of NorthwichVictoria Football Club and that is what we intend to do. An ongoing campaign is being planned at this time, along with hopefully a presence back in Northwich town centre, by the way of a Club Shop to keep all fans informed.

A petition has been circulated amongst the junior teams and is currently being prepared to go to the relevant governing bodies.

We're continuing to take ongoing legal advice as to the position and the rights of Northwich Victoria Football Club 2007.

Telephone numbers for fans to ring for updates will be supplied. Updates will appear on this website as developments occur.