By Luke Goddard, photo by Jonathan White
The completion of the 2025-26 season; I firstly must pass my appreciation and respect to all our volunteers, many of whom go unnoticed week to week, month by month; we simply would not operate or exist without you. Together as a Club I hope over the coming months we can continue the recent work behind the scenes to unite as well as increase further our volunteer group which has an overwhelming impact on operational tasks, projects and overall culture to drive us forward. This is along with the excellent NTISA who continue to play a big part in such projects with some exciting plans; I hope over the coming years to deliver some of the biggest and exciting new additions yet to our amazing facility!
In addition, I’d like to make an acknowledgement to Chairman Jon Gold and the Directors who like most of our volunteers do so much work that goes unnoticed to ensure NTFC continues to exist, grow and develop. We are now entering a big summer, where positive change is needed also off the pitch with our structure, our model and our values to truly align us all to make the next few years a great time in Dabbers history, returning to many core values that made this Club fantastic and thrive. With patience, trust and cohesion I have full faith we are entering an exciting new chapter in Nantwich Town’s history.
Onto the pitch and it was a 9th placed finish, missing out on goal difference for 8th which was since January a target we wanted to achieve. Naturally it’s disappointing to fall just short but it’s a further consistent season similar to the past two campaigns since we were relegated back to Step 4. The challenge that is now very clear is how we claw back that difference to ensure Nantwich Town become a challenger once again at the top end of the league table in 12 months’ time. That is one that will be driven by myself, Marc, the staff, a talented group of players we will form and importantly by everyone connected with NTFC, with belief and ambition in a proud, sustainable model which engages and connects with our community. Success can be measured in many ways, but we will together make the upcoming years an enjoyable journey.
I hope many can attend our Awards Evening on Friday 15th May where we will thank those who have played a part in another season and also look forward to the plans for 2026-2027. The playing group & staff this year have been a strong dressing room, something I have of course only joined in January and respected that immensely by not adding too much change. Big appreciation to Marc Feighery who has been one of the signings of the season for the Club, and also a mention to Jon Moran for his efforts all last summer & season forming a talented group with the staff we have that will ultimately still form the nucleus of our exciting “new era” this summer.
And I finish this blurb with a shout out to the Dabbers faithful! Yet again a solid core of loyal supporters, whether at the Swansway Stadium or a cold Tuesday night away at Clitheroe you’re there and noticed. I hope with most of the above we can only build further again on our numbers, but to do that we must get the excitement for you on the pitch and around that a strong environment to encourage a positive reason to get down to the Swansway Stadium supporting not only the men’s first team but all of our amazing teams at NTFC.
Sending my best wishes for the off season and I hope to see you on the 15th if not back in July for our pre-season schedule!