Congleton Town F.C.

Congleton Town

Full name	Congleton Town Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Bears
Founded	1901;123 years ago (1901)
Ground	Cleric Stadium [1] (Since 1903;121 years ago (1903))
Capacity	1,450 (250 seated)
Manager	Richard Duffy
League	Midland League Premier Division
2022–23	North West Counties League Premier Division, 8th of 22 (transferred)
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours
Current season

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 club's 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 85 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.^{[ citation needed ]}

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   ENG David Parton — GK   ENG Cameron Phelps — DF   ENG Sam Baldwin — DF   ENG Cameron Bradbury-Allen — DF   ENG William Buckley — DF   ENG Darren Chadwick(captain) — DF   ENG Carl Dickinson — DF   WAL Richard Duffy (player-manager) — DF   ENG Mackenzie Faulkner — DF   ITA Marco Fregapane — DF   ENG Joshua Hall — MF   ENG Thomas Allen

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF   ENG Solomon Ashworth — MF   ENG Jonathan Beaumont — MF   ENG Daniel Cocks — MF   ENG Liam Connolly — MF   ENG Ethan Hartshorn — MF   ENG Daniel Needham — MF   ENG George Sankey — MF   ENG Peter Williams — FW   ENG Brian Barton — FW   ENG Thomas Hampton — FW   AUS Phoenix Lee — FW   ENG Max McCarthy

Club management and coaching staff

^[18]

Name	Role
Charles Porter	Chairman
Ken Mead	First Team Secretary
Chris Rowley	Director of Senior Football
Richard Duffy	Player-manager
Anthony Griffith	Assistant Manager
Abigail Blythe	Club Physio

Recent seasons

As of 16 April 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	34	25	6	3	101	31	81	1st ↑ Champions [21]	PR	FA Vase	R3	Daniel Needham	26 (21) [22]	624 [23]
											MFL Cup	F [21]
											Cheshire Senior Cup	SF
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

League

• Midland Football League Premier Division

Champions (1): 2023–24 ^[21]

• Cheshire County League Division Two

Champions (1): 1981–82 ^[24]

• Mid-Cheshire League

Champions (3): 1973–74, ^[25] 1975–76, ^[26] 1977–78 ^[27]

• Macclesfield and District League

Champions (1): 1939–40 ^[28]

• North Staffordshire and District League

Champions (1): 1919–20 ^[29]

• Crewe and District League

Champions (3): 1901–02, ^[30] 1902–03, ^[31] 1903–04 ^[32]

Cup

• North West Counties Football League Cup

Winners (1): 2022–23 ^{[33] [34]}

• Cheshire Senior Cup

Winners (3): 1920–21, ^[35] 1937–38, ^[36] 2022–23 ^[33]

• Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup

Winners (1): 2006–07 ^[37]

• Mid-Cheshire League Cup

Winners (2): 1971–72, ^[38] 1977–78 ^[39]

• Cheshire Amateur Cup/Cheshire Saturday Cup

Winners (3): 1905–06, ^[40] 1906–07, ^[41] 1977–78 ^[42]

• Sentinel Cup

Winners (1): 1939–40 ^[43]

• Crewe and District Cup

Winners (1): 1903–04 ^{[44] [45]}

Notable players

For a list of Congleton Town F.C. players with articles on Wikipedia, see Category:Congleton Town F.C. players.

Hugh Moffat

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

• Elvis Banyihwabe
• Dajour Buffonge
• Peter Davenport
• Richard Duffy
• Dale Eve
• Bert Gray
• Anthony Griffith
• Ron Hewitt
• Jordan Johnson
• Hugh Moffat
• Marlin Piana
• Peter Pursell
• Jimmy Quinn
• Daniel Ting

Club records

• Biggest win: 10-0 vs Northwich Victoria (Away), 3 April 2024 – Midland Football League Premier Division ^[46]
• Heaviest Defeat: 12-1 vs Stalybridge Celtic (Away), 2 November 1929 – Cheshire County League ^[47]
• Highest home attendance: 6,800 (Approx.) vs Macclesfield Town, 31 October 1953 – Cheshire County League ^{[ citation needed ]}
• Highest away attendance: 9,000+ vs Macclesfield Town, 11 February 1922 – Cheshire Senior Cup ^[48]
• Highest league finish: 6th in Northern Premier League Division 1 (7th tier), 1989–90 ^[49]
• Best FA Cup performance: 1st Round, 1989–90 ^[49]
• Best FA Trophy performance: 4th Round, 2000–01 ^[49]
• Best FA Vase performance: Semi-finals, 2022–23 ^[50]
• Highest transfer fee received: £5,000 paid by Leeds United for Des Frost, 1948–49 ^[51]
• First cup double: Cheshire Senior Cup and NWCFL Cup in 2023. ^[33]

Attendance since 2003/2004

As of 7 April 2024 ^{[52] [53]}

• Highest home attendance (Top 3):

1,668 ^{[lower-alpha 1]} v Macclesfield, 26 March 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division

1,436 v Newport Pagnell Town, 1 April 2023 – FA Vase Semi-final

1,139 v AFC Fylde, 1 October 2022 – FA Cup Third Qualifying Round

• Highest away attendance (Top 3):

3,502 v Macclesfield, 30 August 2021 – NWCFL Premier Division

2,138 ^{[lower-alpha 2]} v FC United of Manchester, 31 March 2007 – NWCFL Cup

2,051 ^{[lower-alpha 3]} v FC United of Manchester, 6 September 2006 – NWCFL Division One

Season	Avg. league attendance (% change)
2003-04	183
2004-05	151(-17.49%)
2005-06	120(-20.53%)
2006-07	165(+37.50%)
2007-08	121(-26.67%)
2008-09	113(-6.61%)
2009-10	155(+37.17%)
2010-11	130(-16.13%)
2011-12	114(-12.31%)
2012-13	128(+12.28%)
2013-14	136(+6.25%)
2014-15	150(+10.29%)
2015-16	141(-6.00%)
2016-17	150(+6.38%)
2017-18	133(-3.40%)
2018-19	168(+26.32%)
2019-20	188(+11.90%)
2020-21	192(+2.13%)
2021-22	327(+70.31%)
2022-23	296(-9.48%)
2023-24	624(+110.81%)

Only includes attendances at league home fixtures, rounded to two decimal places; number in brackets is change in % from previous season.Source: Tony Kempster's site Non League Matters NW Counties Football League site

Notes

1. Played at Gresty Road, Crewe.
2. Played at Gigg Lane, Bury.
3. Played at Gigg Lane, Bury.

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.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
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.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
8. "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
9. "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
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. "Midland Football League - Congleton Town - Players". thefa.com. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
19. "NWCFL | Congleton Town Club Information Page". www.nwcfl.com. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
20. "Midland Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
21. McLaughlin, Mike (11 April 2024). "Bears are Midland League champions". NON-LEAUGE football round up. Congleton Chronicle . p. 34.
22. "Midland Football League - Player Stats". thefa.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
23. "Midland Football League - Attendance Statistics". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
24. "TOWN'S TITLE.
    Skelmersdale 0 Congleton 2" . Evening Sentinel . 12 May 1982. p. 17. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
25. "Champions" . Liverpool Echo . 23 May 1974. p. 33. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
26. "MID-CHESHIRE LEAGUE.
    FIRST DIVISION - Final Placings" . Wilmslow and Alderley and Knutsford Advertiser. 13 May 1976. p. 78. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
27. "SAD WILLASTON - Mid-Cheshire League Champions Congleton Town won the Cheshire F.A. Saturday Cup at Northwich when they beat Willaston 1-0" . Liverpool Echo . 10 April 1978. p. 16. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
28. "CHAMPIONS v. REST" . The Macclesfield Times and East Cheshire Observer. 4 April 1940. p. 5. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
29. "NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE LEAGUE" . Evening Sentinel . 8 May 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
30. "MARKET DRAYTON" . Evening Sentinel . 5 April 1902. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
31. "CONGLETON" . Evening Sentinel . 18 April 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
32. "CONGLETON" . Evening Sentinel . 7 May 1904. p. 17. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
33. Yates, Joe (11 May 2023). "Club does double for first time in 122 years". Congleton Chronicle . p. Front Page.
34. "Congleton Town - Macron Cup Winners 2022–23". NWCFL.com. 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
35. "CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL
    Record Crowd and a Great Game
    CONGLETON TOWN WIN THE TROPHY" . The Macclesfield Times and East Cheshire Observer. 15 April 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
36. "CONGLETON SURVIVE THIRD REPLAY
    WORTHY WINNERS OF CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP" . The Chronicle. 7 May 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
37. "Witton Albion 0, Congleton Town 3". Cheshire Live. 3 April 2007. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
38. "Congleton win challenge cup" . Evening Sentinel . 19 May 1972. p. 16. Retrieved 12 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
39. "Biddulph Final" . Evening Sentinel . 11 May 1978. p. 8. Retrieved 12 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
40. "CHESHIRE AMATEUR CUP.
    RE-PLAYED FINAL TIE" . The Runcorn Guardian. 2 May 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
41. "CHESHIRE AMATEUR CUP FINAL.
    CONGLETON v. WALLASEY VILLAGE" . Birkenhead News. 3 April 1907. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
42. "SAD WILLASTON" . Liverpool Echo . 10 April 1978. p. 16. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
43. "CONGLETON WIN SENTINEL CUP" . Evening Sentinel . 18 May 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
44. "CREWE AND DISTRICT CUP FINAL" . The Runcorn Guardian. 13 April 1904. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
45. "CONGLETON.
    Football Jubilation" . Evening Sentinel . 16 April 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 12 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
46. "Northwich Victoria lose 10-0 to Congleton Town". Northwich Guardian . 4 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
47. "Stalybridge C. v. Congleton T." . Evening Sentinel . 2 November 1929. p. 7. Retrieved 12 April 2024– via Newspapers.com.
48. "Cheshire County League". The Athletic News . 13 February 1922. p. 6.
49. "Football Club History Database - Congleton Town". www.fchd.info. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007.
50. "Battling Bears fall at the last hurdle". Congleton Chronicle . 6 April 2023. p. 37.
51. "Leeds United F.C. History".
52. "NWCFL Top League Attendances of All-Time". NWCFL.com.
53. "North West Counties League Premier Division - NonLeagueMatters".

External links

• Official website
• Congleton Town at the Football Club History Database

53°09′42.28″N2°13′15.01″W / 53.1617444°N 2.2208361°W / 53.1617444; -2.2208361