Since being formed in November 2012, 1874 Northwich have become involved in many schemes/events to give back to the community that supports us. Our Community news page provides information regarding the various causes and projects with which we have been involved.
The 1874 Northwich FC Community Projects Team
Following the formation of 1874, it was quickly acknowledged that what had been missing for so long was community involvement, and so the club formed the 1874 Northwich FC Community Projects Team. Our main aim was to use our football club and its fans as a tool for enhancing the community in which we are based. Since those early days, we have changed the role of the Project Team from community to community and charity, this is to further increase the positive benefit our club can provide to our town.
2025/26
This season, we established three charity partners, the Joshua Tree, St Luke’s and the Midcheshire Foodbank. We have supported each of these, providing financial donations and physical support.
Joshua Tree
- On Easter Monday, volunteers from the Joshua Tree raised £166, through a bucket collection at our match against Northwich Vics. The 1874 Community fund also added a further £100 donation.
- In February 2026, we purchased 20 tickets for the Over Players’ panto and donated them to the Joshua Tree for use by their clients and families. The panto raises money for St Luke’s, so we benefited the hospice at the same time – a win-win!
- In January, Phil and Maggie from the Community team were invited to visit the Joshua Tree premises on Daleford’s Lane, Sandiway, which had recently been extended as part of the BBC DIY SOS Children in Need special. It is a very impressive building and such a welcoming and supportive environment of the children and their families.
St Luke’s Hospice
- In addition to monetary donations from the Community Fund, our volunteers were out in support of three of St Luke’s fundraising initiatives. Will Hughes arranged for a group of his friends to marshall at the Twilight Walk in Delamere Forest, under the 1874 banner.
- The Christmas Tree collection saw the hospice raise over £65.000 and our volunteers were there to help, both collecting and unloading the trees.
- Volunteers were also out in force around Crewe Railway Station in June, to marshall and encourage the Midnight Walkers.
Mid Cheshire Foodbank
The backing we get from supporters in relation to our various appeals is amazing, particularly in these tough times. Our annual collection for Mid Cheshire Foodbank saw us donate over 80 kg of vital items and £120, “Thank You” to everyone who donated so generously.
A big “Thank You” to all our volunteers who have managed the car park at Townfield this season. The parking fee of £2 is split 50/50 between the Memorial Hall’s charities and the 1874 Community Fund. It is this that has allowed us to make donations to support our community throughout the season.
Supporting Community Activities within the 1874 Family
In October 2025, one of our walking footballers, Louise Smith carried out a trek across the Sahara in aid of Beyond Recovery, a brain tumour support charity. We were delighted to host Louise and her fellow footballers at the match against Studley, where she was presented with £100 towards her cause. She ultimately raised over £7,000 – Well done Louise.
Our men’s walking football section are raising money for Prostate Cancer UK, along with raising awareness of this challenging condition by holding a 10 hour walking football challenge in April. Details of this event are available on the walking football website at: Walking Football Challenge – 1874 Northwich Walking Football and
Prostate Cancer UK – Walking Football Challenge Update – 10th April 2026
1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you are over 50, if you are Black, or if your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk. We are hoping that our event will make a huge difference to men’s lives.
As well as supporting Prostate Cancer UK, we are also supporting Prost8 and a campaign by Jason Yeo. Jason is promoting PSA testing and raising awareness, by encouraging clubs to install boards at football grounds throughout the country. We have joined the campaign, and were club number 82 to get involved.
Other Community projects
In the summer of 2025 we supported several other groups with donations for charity auctions, raffles and the provision of free 1874 match tickets for children taking part in summer football camps.
We have also launched an ink cartridge recycling scheme, where the money raised is donated to the Stroke Association, which was a charity nominated by our fans. We have raised £50 for the charity so far, with the next set of cartridges due to be sent for recycling.
We are already planning for our 2026/27 projects, including mental health support via the FSA’s #You AreEnough campaign (in conjunction with North Staffs and Cheshire Mind). Watch this space
If anyone wants to be involved with any of our projects or has any ideas, suggestions or questions, please speak to Phil Burgess or Maggie Coats.
2024/25 season
Successes last season included:
- purchase of a second portable defibrillator for the junior teams, this is essential for our teams who play at remote locations or on council pitches with no fixed defibrillator in the vicinity.
- We supported NMC by providing volunteers for their “Live in the Park” event.
- We helped St Luke’s both with volunteers and financial donations, including marshalling the Midnight Walk, helping with parking at Burland Hall open day, and helping with their Christmas Tree collection.
- In February 2025, we collected 19.2kg of food and donated £130 to Midcheshire Foodbank
- We gave old kit and boots for a charity in Africa supported by Isiah from our Walking Football section
- We collected and gave 27 coats and jackets to WRAPUP Salford for homeless people in their area.
- We donated food and £54 for the Barnton Village Hall Christmas Hamper Appeal
- We supported MNDA with a bucket collection at our Boxing Day fixture.