Nantwich Town FC Memories: Book marks 125 years of Dabbers' pride

By Crewe Chronicle on Jul 29, 09 11:36 AM in 1800-1899

A FASCINATING book has been launched marking the 125th anniversary of Nantwich Town FC - that's a milestone worth celebrating because the club is older than the Real Madrid and Arsenal.

Called Proud To Be The Dabbers, it charts the fortunes of the UniBond Premier League club since it was founded in 1884.

Written by former club president Michael Chatwin, the 128-page, full-colour book is lavishly illustrated and pays tribute to its Victorian pioneers, the characters who have served it with such dedication over the years and the players who have proudly worn the club colours.

Nantwich kicked off their first season in 1884/85 and, as the book illustrates, most of those 125 years have been filled with incidents and tales.

Over the years, the Dabbers have crossed paths with England World Cup winners Alan Ball and Roger Hunt, the legendary Duncan Edwards and pre-war international stars such as Dixie Dean.

Michael said: ""This is just part of the celebrations for 125 years of Nantwich Town. We had the Crewe Alex friendly and there will be various other events taking place between now and Christmas.

"This club has been very close to the town and the community. It has never been a big club but it has been around for a long time. We were established before Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

"Nantwich Town has stood the test of time and there have been some big games.

"Liverpool played their first ever FA Cup game against Nantwich in 1892 and the Dabbers faced Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup in 1952.

"That game was originally scheduled to take place at Jackson Avenue but was moved to United's training ground at The Cliff. Duncan Edwards got five in that match and the Busby Babes won 23-0!

"Obviously the golden era for the club is the current one. Winning the FA Vase was a major highlight. But in the past the club used to struggle to get by every year.

"They conceded 159 goals in one season and there have been some serious financial problems, especially during the 1920s.

"It is remarkable that the club survived as many clubs formed in the Victorian times went under.

"But people would rally round for the club. Crewe Alex once donated £10 and a Mr Schofield once donated a Canterbury lamb for the club to sell to raise funds."

Michael added: "I am very pleased with the book. I hope that even those who are not big sports fans will be interested in it as there are sure to be pictures in there of people they recognise.

"It is as much an account of social history as it is about Nantwich Town Football Club."
Proud To Be The Dabbers, priced £14, is available from the club shop at the Weaver Stadium.

The first picture shows Nantwich Town FC president Michael Chatwin with his new book Proud To Be The Dabbers, celebrating 125 years of the club.

The second picture shows the former Dabbers secretary Jack Lindop and chairman Eddie Lockyer support the team at Congleton in the 1960s. On the far left is milkman Jack Ellis who played goalkeeper for the club and whose ashes were scattered on the old Jackson Avenue ground.

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