Doug Shulman's introductions to Northwich Victoria.

This Saturday United head north to face Northwich Victoria in our last scheduled game of the season prior to entering the play-off bear pit. However, with our place in the top five assured, and our hosts having completed a Houdini-like escape from relegation thanks to their midweek 2-1 win at Stevenage, a party atmosphere will no doubt ensue at the Marston Arena.

The word roller-coaster perfectly describes the emotions Trickies fans will have experienced in the past four years, with the club riding a carousel of administration, relegation, demotion and promotion, in addition to twice suffering the indignation of a points deduction. Moreover, there is the saga surrounding the sale of their former home Drill Field, ground sharing with Witton Albion, and moving into a brand new stadium. If their story was a soap opera, you would be glued to the screen!

The Tree

Current U's boss Jimmy Quinn was in charge at Northwich until the conclusion of the 2002/03 season, at which point he headed for Shrewsbury. For the anoraks amongst us 'The Tree', as he was known at West Ham, also played 46 times for Vics and bagged eight goals. 2003/04 proved rather eventful with the club employing three consecutive uninspiring Managers who all played their part in Vics finishing the campaign bottom of the Conference. However, thanks to a sequence of events resulting in the demotion of both Margate and Telford coupled by the nonconformity of promoted Hucknall's stadium, The Greens were duly re-appointed for the following campaign.

Unfortunately, though, the saga was not over. The club had previously sold Field Drill for housing redevelopment and signed a ground-share agreement with Witton Albion but, with planning permission for their new stadium refused, revised plans had to be submitted. These unforeseen delays and the financial mire that subsequently unfolded caused Vics to enter administration, also meaning a deduction of ten League points. Despite this handicap they managed to finish the 2004/05 season just above the drop zone but, as with all good books, there is a twist. Ridiculously, Conference membership had not been transferred to the new owners by 31 May meaning, you've guessed it, a twelve point deduction and demotion to the Conference North.

Money-Spinning

Life after this episode proved far rosier and, under the Chairmanship of Mike Connett, the club exited administration and moved into their new home. They romped to the Conference North Championship in 2005/06, whilst in the FA Cup they gallantly lost 3-0 to Sunderland in a money-spinning FA Cup tie at The Stadium of Light.

Last season saw them leave the Abbey with a 1-0 opening day win but, this was not a springboard to higher echelons, and regular sightings in the bottom four became a worry.

A handsome FA Trophy run saw them reach the semi-finals and, with renewed character they took advantage of their games in hand, winning five consecutive matches in early April to steer themselves clear of the Conference North trapdoor and secure a thirteenth place finish.

Nevertheless the summer months saw a return to darker days and, as well as financial worries resurfacing,

Manager Steve Burr (pictured) walked out after a row with Chairman Mike Connett.

Ex-Scarborough boss Neil Redfearn was swiftly appointed as his replacement, whilst former Leeds defender Kevin Sharp joined as Assistant. In a further move, John Bond was recruited as the club's 'Football Consultant' with the hope that his Managerial experience in the 1980s with Norwich and Manchester City would be of benefit.

Big Hit

Amongst those leaving the Marston Arena were ex-U Mark Sale, along with key players Stuart Elliot and Paul Brayson who left for York City, whilst influential defenders Mark Roberts and Kieran Charnock fled the nest for Accrington and Peterborough respectively. Counterbalancing the departures were experienced Boston midfielder Simon Rusk, in addition to Michael Welch who joined from Accrington to strengthen the defence, and Chester forward Lee Steele who has proved a big hit with fans. Accompanying Steele in the striking ranks after leaving Rushden was current boss Dino Maamria, although the 34-year has not played since undertaking his new managerial role.

Nevertheless, despite the encouragement of new players and a sense of optimism that Redfearn seemingly introduced off the back of last season's decent finish, their campaign could not have started any worse. A 2-1 loss at Ebbsfleet was followed by a 3-3 home draw with Droylsden, but ten consecutive defeats were then served up to drown the spirits. A 3-1 home loss to Histon saw Redfearn dramatically resign, with ex-Sheffield Wednesday starlet Paul Warhurst temporarily taking the reins in a player/coach capacity.

Furthermore, Chairman Mike Connett elevated stress levels by revealing the club were penniless and, with £350,000 owing to the tax man, he put Vics up for sale and promptly reapplied for administration. Fears of another ten-point deduction and subsequent relegation were starting to look a reality, especially as the club were again managerless due to Warhurst walking away from the Marston Arena after just ten days' service.

Lady Luck

Thankfully, though, lady luck decided to make a rare appearance, and their future was secured thanks to a local consortium headed by businessman Jim Rushe completing a deal with Connett. Rushe and the club's directors promptly agreed terms with creditors, including HM Revenue and Customs.

Within days temporary boss Maamria was given the job on a permanent basis, and team building began for the great escape. Defender Natt Kerr signed on loan from Crewe, whilst striker Lucas Akins was captured from Huddersfield. A first seasonal win arrived in the shape of a 1-0 home victory over Rushden on 24 November to end a disastrous nineteen game winless run, and since then they have looked onwards and upwards.

The January transfer window saw Maamria swoop for giant Halifax defender Cortez Belle and forward Darryn Stamp, Belle's colleague at the Shay, with midfielders Matty Crowell and Michael Bowler flying in from Wrexham and Stockport respectively.

The new arrivals have had a huge impact, and a mere six losses from twenty one games have been unveiled in the current calendar year. Home form has been particularly strong, with the faithful not witnessing defeat since 2 February when Salisbury waltzed away with a 1-0 triumph. March was especially significant, with Vics stringing together a run of four wins and three draws that resulted in a momentous move out of the bottom four. Maamria also picked up the Manager of the Month award, and Lee Steele made it a triple celebration as he was named BSP Player of the Month following seven goals. The nippy front man now has seventeen in total.

Previous Meetings

Our first ever meeting was last season's opener at the Abbey. Vics walked away with all three points against a dishevelled looking U's side thanks to Kevin Townson's second-half strike, but the return match at a sun soaked Marston Arena on the last Sunday in March proved a different story. Robbie Simpson snaffled a hat-trick for the rampant U's as they galloped to Conference safety, with Vics ensuring their own survival the following week [report].

Our encounter at the Abbey earlier this season resulted in a 2-1 success for United in a closely-fought affair. Scott Rendell opened for the U's and, despite Lee Steele equalising for the visitors, Rendell pounced for the winner with eleven minutes remaining.

Doug Shulman

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