Neil Lamont’s side face the Lions in an all-Nantwich Town final in the South Cheshire Youth League under-11s League Cup Final on Sunday (see http://www.nantwichtownfc.co.uk/?p=2840).  On Saturday (19th May) though, the team will be lending a helping hand at Sainsburys in Nantwich, helping to bag up shopping in the Middlewich Road superstore from 10am to 4pm.

“We’re looking to raise some funds towards new training kit and balls for next season,”said Neil. “If anyone’s out doing their shopping at Sainsburys on Saturday, the lads will be on hand to help pack their shopping into bags. Please come along and support us if you can – we’re grateful for all donations.”

For the fourth consecutive season, matchday admission prices to the Weaver Stadium for the 2012/13 season will be £9 (adults), £6 (concessions) and £2 (under-16s).

The prices of season tickets have been standardised to ensure that all categories of season ticket holders get the equivalent of 5 ‘free’ matches.  Season ticket prices for 2012/13 will therefore be:  Adults- £144; Concessions-£96; Under-16s-£32.  Again, season ticket holders have the option to reserve a chosen stand seat for the season (for League games) at a flat rate of £20.  Season ticket holders who had a reserved seat for 2011/12 have until 15th June to reserve the same seat for 2012/13.  Renewal letters are being sent out to existing season ticket holders.

For the 2012/13 season, the club will be introducing a charge of £1.50 per vehicle for parking at the Weaver Stadium on matchdays.  However, matchday parking will remain free for season ticket holders.  In addition, season ticket holders will also continue to enjoy the benefit of a 10% discount on bar prices prior to kick off.

As in previous seasons, the club is also running an ‘Early Bird’ offer.  Everyone buying a season ticket before 15^th June will receive a complimentary ticket to the pre-season friendly against Macclesfield Town.  Season tickets are available through the Club Shop at the Weaver Stadium.

The Team who have already won the South Cheshire Youth League and are also in the Cup Final next week, are so far unbeaten all season, though as this was a six a side tournament, it gave coach Lee Bibby an unenviable predicament in having to split his side in to Two teams. The Tournament organised by Sandbach United FC attracted some of the top junior teams from all over the North West and competition was tough. However,  both Nantwich Dabbers sides (Dabbers Green & Dabbers White) remained undefeated in the groups stages beating both of the Brookfield Rangers sides 2-0 in the semi Finals, setting up a mouthwatering clash between themselves in the Tournament Final. Something had to give and Dabbers White ran out 2-0 Winners with goals from Lewis Bacon and Captain Fynn Meredith to win the prestigious trophy.

Dabbers Coach Lee Bibby said, “It was a wonderful tournament, brilliantly organised at a great venue and it was a shame that there could only be one winner, as they are in reality the same side, however i am over the moon with the quality and professionalism that the Boys showed today and they did Nantwich Town proud. It’s been a fantastic season and they are improving all the time and some of the quality football and passing that they played today was simply breathtaking and to have coaches and parents from other sides commenting and praising both the way that they played and conducted themselves is testimony to the hard work that they have put in and the policies and disciplines of the Football Club in general and hopefully they can keep this up for a few more games, win the Cup as well and finish the season unbeaten”.

The Lions scored the only goal of the game to defeat league champions Ruskin Park Rovers in a hard fought semi-final whilst the Jaguars also kept a clean sheet with a 2-0 home win over Alex Soccer Centre AB Juniors in their semi.

With the Lions competing in Division 1 and the Jaguars in Division 2, the two sides have not met head to head in the league so it’s sure to be a fascinating Final.  The players and coaches of both teams are to be congratulated on reaching the Final and all Nantwich Town fans are invited to come along and roar on the teams.  The Final takes place at The Peacock on Crewe Road, Nantwich – kick off at 10am.

Players from all of Nantwich Town’s mini-soccer sides will be celebrated at the event which will be hosted by Chairman Jon Gold.  First team manager Jimmy Quinn will be joined by players from the first team squad to help present a medal to every player in the club’s eleven mini-soccer teams: under-8s, under-9s and under-10s.  There will also be a surprise presentation of a special merit award to one player in each of the teams.

“It’s a great opportunity for the club to reward all our kids who play mini-soccer for Nantwich Town,” said Jon Gold.  “They are a terrific asset to the club and we are sincerely grateful to all the coaches and parents who make it possible for these young Dabbers to get great enjoyment from playing football.  I hope as many of the kids and parents as possible can come along and enjoy the evening.”

Red Shift Radio will be providing musical entertainment during the evening which kicks off at 5.30pm.  A raffle will be held on the evening – admission is free and all players and parents are warmly invited to come along.  For details and reservations, please email janet.stubbs@nantwichtownfc.com.

A Tom Greaves goal in the last minute of extra time gave Avenue a narrow 1-0 victory in yesterday’s Roses clash.  It spelt a second successive Play-Off Final defeat for FC United and heartbreak for their fans.

With the promotion of Bradford, the likely composition of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division for 2012/13 has become slightly clearer.  Blyth Spartans and Eastwood Town are likely to be relegated to the league from the Blue Square Bet North.  Meanwhile, Northwich Victoria have been demoted a level alongside relegated Burscough, Mickleover Sports and Chasetown.  They look set to be replaced by the promotion of AFC Fylde and Witton Albion from Division 1 North and Grantham Town and Ilkeston from Division 1 South.

Troubled former Football League side Darlington are rumoured to be dropping past the Premier Division into the Evo-Stik NPL Division 1 North which could signal a reprieve for Frickley Athletic who finished fourth from bottom.  Alternatively, Hemel Hempsted Town of the Southern Premier could possibly be reprieved as they have a better playing record than Frickley at the same level of the pyramid (step 3).  This would lead to Barwell (or even Redditch United) being shunted northwards from the Southern Premier.

This would mean the constitution of the division for 2012/13 could be:

AFC Fylde, Ashton United, Blyth Spartans, Buxton, Chorley, Eastwood Town, FC United of Manchester, Frickley Athletic (or Barwell or Redditch United?), Grantham Town,  Hednesford Town, Ilkeston, Kendal Town, Marine, Matlock Town, Nantwich Town, North Ferriby United, Rushall Olympic, Stafford Rangers, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Whitby Town, Witton Albion, Worksop Town.

Of course, this is all conjecture.  The FA Leagues committee will be meeting within the next fortnight to make their recommendations but the line-up won’t be ratified until the AGM of the Northern Premier League on 16^th June.

Vale boss Micky Adams will be bringing his first team squad to take on the Dabbers ahead of the start of the 2012/13 season.  The friendly has been scheduled as part of the agreement that saw Nantwich’s Ritchie Sutton join the League Two outfit.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming the Vale and their fans to the Weaver Stadium,” said Nantwich Chairman Jon Gold.  “Micky Adams has been great in helping to set up the game and I’m sure it will be a great night.”

The match will kick off at 7.30pm.

Steve has taken the Alex to the verge of the League 2 play-offs since taking over as Manager in November and a point against Aldershot would secure the Alex a play-off berth.  The Alex side includes a number of players who have worn the green and white of Nantwich Town, including Ashley Westwood, Kelvin Mellor and Steve’s own son Harry Davis.

Best of luck to Steve and everyone at Crewe Alexandra FC.