Congleton Town
Full nameCongleton Town Football Club
Nickname(s)The Bears
Founded1901 (1901)
GroundCleric Stadium[1] (Since 1903 (1903))
Capacity1,450 (250 seated)
ManagerRichard Duffy
LeagueMidland League Premier Division
2022–23North West Counties League Premier Division, 8th of 22 (transferred)
WebsiteClub website

Congleton Town Football Club is an association football club based in Congleton, Cheshire, England. They currently play in the Midland League Premier Division and are full members of the Cheshire County Football Association. The club have played in a number of regional leagues in the Cheshire area.

History

The club was formed in 1901 and joined the Crewe and District League, and were crowned champions in their first three seasons from 1901–02 to 1903–04. In 1904–05 they finished in fifth place.[2] They then joined the North Staffordshire and District League in the 1905–06 season finishing in third place. Up until the outbreak of World War I their highest league placing came in 1914–15 when they were runners-up. When the league resumed after the war Congleton spent one last season in the league, 1919–20 finishing as league champions.[3]

In 1920 they joined the Cheshire County League, finishing as runners-up to Winsford in their first season, 1920–21,[4] under player-manager Hugh Moffat.[5] In 1939–40 they spent one season in the Macclesfield and District League, finishing in equal first place and winning the end of season play-off against Bollington Cross to be crowned champions.[6]

When football resumed after World War II Congleton Town were once again back in the Cheshire County League. However, the struggled at first including finishing in last place in 1947–48.[7] The club continued to struggle and spent the 1950s finishing toward the bottom of the table each season.[8]

They began the 1960s still struggling culminating in a last place finish in 1964–65,[9] before joining the Manchester League in the 1965–66 season, finishing in fifth place. Their stay in the league though lasted just three seasons[10] and in the 1968–69 season they joined the Mid-Cheshire League, finishing in eighth place. In 1969–70 they were runners-up. They were runners-up again in 1971–72 then in 1973–74 they were crowned Mid-Cheshire league champions. The following season they finished third before winning the league for a second time in 1975–76. After another runners-up finish in 1976–77 they won the title for a third time in 1977–78, their last season in the league.[11] . In 1978 the club re-joined the Cheshire County League, finishing in seventh place in their first season back in the league, 1978–79. They won the league in its final season, 1981–82[12] before the league merged with the Lancashire Combination to form the North West Counties Football League in which they were founder members in 1982–83. In 1985–86 they were runners-up in the league, only missing out on the title on goal difference. In 1987–88 they joined the Northern Premier League in the newly created Division One, finishing in ninth place. In the 1989–90 season, they reached the First Round of the FA Cup after beating Witton Albion in the fourth qualifying round. In the first round they were drawn away to Football League club Crewe Alexandra where they lost 2–0. However, they struggled most years at the higher level of the Northern Premier League and after finishing in last place in the 2000–01 season,[13] they were relegated to the North West Counties Football League Division One.

At the end of the 2001–02 season, Congleton were denied the chance of winning the Mid Cheshire Cup title in a controversial Final against Northwich Victoria. Northwich won the Cup in a penalty shoot out but it was discovered after the match that their winning penalty taker had actually been substituted prior to the shoot out taking place. Despite protests from some supporters, the result was allowed to stand in the match taking place at Northwich's own ground.

They did though reach the fourth round of the FA Trophy where they lost 6–2 to Worksop Town. The club remained in Division One which was renamed the Premier Division for the 2008–09 season.[14]

At the end of the 2008–09 season, Congleton finished fourth in the Premier Division, behind AFC Fylde, New Mills and Newcastle Town, with only the first placed side gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League. Regardless of where they had finished, Congleton would not have gained promotion because they did not submit a promotion application.

At the end of the 2010–11 season joint managers Anthony Buckle and Darren Twigg stepped down. Giuseppe "Joe" Paladino, ex-Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, who was assistant manager at Rossendale United at the end of last season was appointed at the beginning of the season, but some disappointing results and declining attendances saw his reign short-lived. He was replaced on 6 November 2011 by Dean Sibson, who took on the role of caretaker manager until a successor was appointed on 31 January 2012. Jim Vince, former FC Halifax, Witton Albion, Woodley Sports and Abbey Hey manager now takes up the reins.

In November 2014 it was announced that Jim Vince would step down as manager after three years in the role. Assistants Steve Hardy and Mike McDonald would take temporary charge.[15] At the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to the Premier Division of the Midland League. This was only temporary as they were allowed to return to the North West Counties league on appeal.[16] The club spent two further years in the NWCFL before more league reorganisation forced them into the Midland League for the 23/24 season - the club decided against an appeal this time.

The 2022/23 season was one of the most successful in the clubs history, reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase, the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup (in front of the BBC cameras) , winning the Macron League Cup and for the first time in 75 years, capturing the Cheshire Senior Cup

Community ownership

In May 2014, the club was taken over by a community benefit society owned by fans of the club.

Stadium

Main Stand

The team initially played its matches on the Chaddock-Lowndes field at the top of Booth Street before moving to its current site on the upper half of the adjacent West Field in the summer of 1903.

The main stand has 250 seats[17] and all four sides of the pitch now offer covered standing areas for supporters. The stadium is currently known as the Cleric Stadium for sponsorship reasons.

Current squad

As of 31 December 2023

[18] 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 David Parton
— GK England ENG Cameron Phelps
— DF England ENG Sam Baldwin
— DF England ENG Cameron Bradbury-Allen
— DF England ENG William Buckley
— DF England ENG Darren Chadwick (captain)
— DF England ENG Carl Dickinson
— DF Wales WAL Richard Duffy (player-manager)
— DF England ENG Mackenzie Faulkner
— DF Italy ITA Marco Fregapane
— DF England ENG Joshua Hall
— MF England ENG Thomas Allen
No. Pos. Nation Player
— MF England ENG Solomon Ashworth
— MF England ENG Jonathan Beaumont
— MF England ENG Daniel Cocks
— MF England ENG Liam Connolly
— MF England ENG Ethan Hartshorn
— MF England ENG Daniel Needham
— MF England ENG George Sankey
— MF England ENG Peter Williams
— FW England ENG Brian Barton
— FW England ENG Thomas Hampton
— FW Australia AUS Phoenix Lee
— FW England ENG Max McCarthy

Club management and coaching staff

[18]

Name Role
Charles PorterChairman
Ken MeadFirst Team Secretary
Chris RowleyDirector of Senior Football
Wales Richard DuffyPlayer-manager
MontserratAnthony GriffithAssistant Manager
Abigail BlytheClub Physio

Recent seasons

As of 15 January 2024[19][20]

Season League FA Cup Other competitions Top scorer – League goals in () Average
attendance (League)
Division Pld W D L F A Pts Pos Name
2023–24 MFL Premier Division 21 16 2 3 54 20 50 1st PR FA Vase R3 Daniel Needham 16 (12) 534[21]
MFL Cup QF
Cheshire Senior Cup QF
2022–23 NWCFL Premier Division 42 19 8 15 70 62 65 8th QR3 FA Vase SF Tom Pope 18 (7) 296
NWCFL Cup W
Cheshire Senior Cup W
2021–22 NWCFL Premier Division 40 16 10 14 67 54 58 9th EPR FA Vase R4 Tom Pope 20 (17) 327
NWCFL Cup SF
Cheshire Senior Cup R1
2020–21 Season curtailed due to lockdown regulations
2019–20 Season abandoned due to coronavirus pandemic
2018–19 NWCFL Premier Division 38 25 3 10 86 37 77 3rd QR1 FA Vase QR1 Saul Henderson 20 (17) 168
NWCFL Cup SF
Cheshire Senior Cup QF
2017–18 NWCFL Premier Division 44 16 8 20 83 85 56 15th PR FA Vase QR2 Declan Fletcher 21 (16) 133
NWCFL Cup R1
Cheshire Senior Cup PR

Honours

[22]

League

Champions (1): 1981–82
Champions (3): 1973–74, 1975–76, 1977–78
  • Macclesfield and District League
Champions (1): 1939–40
  • North Staffordshire and District League
Champions (1): 1919–20
  • Crewe and District League
Champions (3): 1901–02, 1902–03, 1903–04

Cup

Winners (1): 2022–23[23]
Winners (3): 1920–21, 1937–38, 2022–23[24]
  • Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup
Winners (1): 2006–07
  • Cheshire Amateur Cup/Cheshire Saturday Cup
Winners (3): 1905–06, 1906–07, 1977–78
  • Sentinel Cup
Winners (1): 1939–40
  • Crewe and District Cup
Winners (1): 1903–04

Notable players

Hugh Moffat
Hugh Moffat

Congleton Town F.C. players who attained at least one international cap during their career.

Club records

Average attendance

[28]

Source: Tony Kempster's site Non League Matters NW Counties Football League site

References

  1. ↑ "Information | Congleton Town FC". 5 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Crewe & District League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  3. ↑ "North Staffs & District League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  5. ↑ "England Players – Hugh Moffat". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  6. ↑ "Macclesfield and District League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  8. ↑ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  9. ↑ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  10. ↑ "Manchester League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  11. ↑ "Mid-Cheshire League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  12. ↑ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  13. ↑ "Northern Premier League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  14. ↑ "Congleton Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  15. ↑ "Bears part company with Manager Jim Vince". Congleton Town F.C. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "Congleton Town FC back where they belong". Congleton Chronicle. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  17. ↑ "Congleton Town FC". Pyramid Passion. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  18. 1 2 https://fulltime.thefa.com/displayTeam.html?teamID=581241200&league=6125369#tab-4
  19. ↑ "NWCFL | Congleton Town Club Information Page". www.nwcfl.com. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "Football Club History Database - Congleton Town".
  21. ↑ https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/divisions/214/14/
  22. 1 2 "NWCFL | Congleton Town Club Information Page".
  23. 1 2 Yates, Joe (11 May 2023). "Club does double for first time in 122 years". Congleton Chronicle. p. Front Page.
  24. ↑ "Congleton win the Cheshire Senior Cup". NWCFL.com. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  25. 1 2 3 "Football Club History Database - Congleton Town". www.fchd.info. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007.
  26. ↑ "Battling Bears fall at the last hurdle". Congleton Chronicle. 6 April 2023. p. 37.
  27. ↑ "Leeds United F.C. History".
  28. ↑ "North West Counties League Premier Division - NonLeagueMatters".

53°09′42.28″N 2°13′15.01″W / 53.1617444°N 2.2208361°W / 53.1617444; -2.2208361

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