Following the introduction of a new end of season Club Person of the Year Award, which was created in memory of loyal supporter Gary Halvorsen, the club invited nominations from across our community. The Board was delighted by the number of submissions and deeply impressed by the outstanding contributions made by so many individuals throughout our 74 community.
The Board is proud to announce that the inaugural recipient of this special honour is Maggie Coats.
Maggie was nominated by key figures from every corner of our football community, reflecting the unique role she plays across the entire club. Quite simply, she is the glue that holds us all together.
Maggie contributes to every aspect of club life: the senior team, junior teams, Wildcats, walking football, and our wider community initiatives. She embodies what it means to be a true Community Club, far beyond a first‑team focus.
As Company Secretary, she ensures the Board operates effectively, adheres to our model rules, and maintains the policies that guide our work. As Club Welfare Officer, she leads on safeguarding, DBS checks, policy adoption, and ongoing training, promoting an inclusive and safe environment for all.
Maggie has also served as Secretary of the Junior Section, enabling the Football Pathway Lead to focus on major projects. She manages registrations, attends youth league meetings, supports junior team managers, and even marks out pitches. Most weekends, she can be found at junior matches across Cheshire, cheering on our young players.
She founded our hugely successful Wildcats programme, providing football opportunities for girls aged 4 to 11, and has led weekly training sessions at Moss Farm throughout the season, whatever the weather.
As a long‑standing player and committee member of the walking football section, Maggie has helped drive this fantastic area of the club forward. She is also a committed supporter of our community partnerships, including The Joshua Tree and St Luke’s Hospice, and played a key role in organising the recent walking football challenge for Prostate Cancer. She additionally leads our Mental Health First Aid support.
On first team match days, Maggie is often among the first to arrive, overseeing the club shop and assisting with post‑match duties. from serving food to tidying up. She maintains our relationship with Barnton Memorial Hall, supporting its use for club functions, and has even taken on practical tasks at the stadium, from installing baby changing facilities to trimming overhanging branches in neighbouring gardens.
Maggie is a constant source of support to individual Board members, generously giving her time to help them navigate challenges and responsibilities. Her contributions are countless.
The nominations we received for Maggie spoke volumes about the respect and admiration she inspires. She is the person people turn to for advice, support, and calm guidance. She brings the entire club together without fuss, and is described as modest, hardworking, and remarkably balanced. People wonder whether she ever finds time to sleep!
Maggie truly understands what it means to be a Community Football Club. She works tirelessly to unite people, strengthen connections, and help the club grow and thrive. It is clear that she is cherished by all who have the privilege of working with her.
She is an exceptionally deserving recipient of the first Skipton Building Society Gary Halvorsen Memorial Award.
Well done Maggie and a huge thank you!
Maggie reflected on the award:
“This year, in memory of Gary Halvorsen, who we lost much too soon, the club initiated a club person of the year award. I was truly humbled and delighted last Friday to find out that I am the inaugural winner of this. I would like to thank everyone who nominated me and to recognise all the fantastic people we have within our club who are such a pleasure to work with and who are helping to make 1874 Northwich a true community club. I am extremely fortunate to be involved in so many aspects, including juniors, walking football, community projects, the club shop as well as being the 1874 Company Secretary. We have so many absolutely dedicated and passionate people delivering great experiences to both our 1874 family and the wider public. I feel as though this award is for all of us, not just me. Together we are becoming a real force for community involvement.”