1874 Northwich FC wishes to announce that Joint Managers Paul and Wayne have
stepped away from their roles at the club, after a very open and amicable discussion
with members of the Board. As ever, Paul and Wayne have conducted themselves
with the utmost honesty, transparency and integrity. Their intention was to manage
the team for the final time at the Mid Cheshire Cup game last night however their
overriding desire now is for a smooth transition into a new period for 1874, where
they will remain 100% supportive of the club.
Their service and loyalty to 1874 has been outstanding.
Paul has been with 1874 from the very first day, when our new squad assembled for
the first training session in June 2013. Paul came onboard as a player, but then took
on a coaching role followed by becoming Assistant Manager to Ian Street.
Wayne joined in the summer of 2016, quickly making his mark as technical coach,
becoming an integral part of the management team.
After taking on full responsibility of guiding the squad in March 2017, Bow & Goodie
have co-managed a total of 287 games during the intervening period of over six and
a half years. In that time, they built entertaining teams and oversaw the
development of many players, deserving all the plaudits awarded to them.
There have been so many memorable times at the club, so many highlights to look
back on during their tenure.
The amazing ‘cup season’ of 2017/18 saw FA Cup and FA Vase successes that
ultimately galvanised the club and took it to new levels, over 69 record breaking
games and one step from a Wembley appearance.
Of course, the Macron Cup win in 2019 will live long in the hearts of all 1874
supporters, as one of the greatest days supporting the club. A further Macron Cup
win, making 1874 ‘back-to-back’ winners (the first club to do so) was a terrific
achievement.
In 2019/2020, they oversaw a tremendous period of football played with a swagger,
with record breaking goal tallies and clean sheets. It saw 1874 sitting comfortably at
the top of the North West Counties Premier League table, with promotion looming to
the Northern Premier League. However as everyone is aware, Covid 19 put paid to
the deserved Championship as the season ended abruptly.
Once life settled and the FA re-organised the non league pyramid, 1874 Northwich
was quite rightly upwardly moved to the Step Four NPL West Division, based on
their previous playing record. This was a great reward for all of Paul and Wayne’s
hard work and dedication, and they now leave the club playing at its highest level.
It is also important to recognise that their achievements were earned, whilst
conducting themselves in the very best manner. Whether that was behind the
scenes or on the touchline, they have been held in the highest regard by everyone
who encountered them. Indeed, they were held as shining examples by the North
West Counties League Management Committee for the respectful and disciplined
way in which they dealt with business. They also played a huge part in 1874 being
named as the NPL Club of the Year last season, a proud achievement for them and
everyone at the club.
Loyalty can be in short supply in the football world, but there is no doubting Paul and
Wayne’s unswerving dedication and loyalty to 1874 Northwich. They understood
and fully immersed themselves into the ethos of our club, which is an important
principle for all 1874 members and supporters.
For their hard work; for the long hours they gave; for the way in which they put the
best interests of 1874 at the heart of everything; for the memorable times; for their
guidance and support to the players, the backroom staff and to the Board, they
receive our unequivocal, heartfelt and grateful thanks and respect.
Bow and Goodie will always remain ’74 legends and friends and we know that their
time with the club will be looked back on with great fondness and pride.
As we now move to the next phase, we are grateful to Matt Woolley and Mark Jones
for agreeing to step in and help guide the team in training and from our next match
against Bootle on Saturday. We are sure that all supporters will join the Board in
getting behind the guys and the team.
The Board will now take stock and subsequently start the process of recruiting our
next management team.
Thank you, Paul and Wayne.