DISTANT VICS NEWSLETTER

THE INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER FOR FANS OF NORTHWICH VICTORIA

NUMBER 320
23rd MARCH 2006



TEAM NEWS

Apart from Mark Sale, still suffering from a toe injury, Vics have a full squad
available for the visit of Lancaster on Saturday and Workington on Tuesday.
Keiron Charnock has recovered from the illness that was the reason for his
substitution at Hyde on Saturday and all the other players with longer term
injury problems are training again. Steve Burr is likely to stick with the
players who have helped the team recover from the dreadful mid-winter dip in
form that reduced them from clear leaders and favourites to win the league to
almost certain play-off candidates. Vics bench could be full of talent on
Saturday!

One reason behind Vics strength this season has been the lack of player
movements in and out of the squad. When one looks at the number of players used
last season there has really only been 2 major changes in the 7 months of this
season so far. One of those changes was confirmed this week when Chris Williams
signed permanently for Vics after being released by Stockport. Chris has been
very influential in his loan spell with Vics and has already scored 3 goals. The
transfer deadline in Conference North is next week.

CLUB NEWS

Vics new dressing rooms will be in use this week with the portacabins that have
been used as temporary dressing rooms all season having now been removed.

No travel details available, yet, for the trip to Moor Green a week on Saturday.
Moor Green are still not playing on their own pitch after an arson attack
destroyed their stand and changing rooms several months ago. They currently play
at the home of Solihull Borough FC south of Birmingham.

Albert Phillips who played in goal for Vics for 2 seasons in 1947 - 8 and
1949-50 has died. Vics finished second in the Cheshire league in his first
season and defeated Macclesfield in the Cheshire Senior Cup in his second
season. This game still remains the highest 'gate' for a match at Crewe.

SUPPORTERS TRUST

The next Trust meeting has had to be further postponed and a new date will be
announced as soon as possible.

ROUND AND ABOUT

Burton Albion have signed prolific Conference striker Daryl Clare.

Clare had been courted by a number of League clubs but opted to join Burton
after he recently left Crawley.

The 27-year-old, twice a previous Conference Golden Boot winner with Chester and
Boston, has agreed a deal until the end of next season.

Meanwhile, Brewers striker Dale Anderson, 26, has joined Conference North side
Moor Green on loan for the rest of the season. Dale was at Vics on loan earlier
this season.

Chester City - the Football League's bottom club - have completed the loan
signing of Exeter City striker Jake Edwards.

The former Wrexham and Yeovil striker, 29, will spend the rest of the season at
the Deva Stadium.

"Jake is the sort of big target man who will give us extra options up front,"
said Chester boss Mark Wright.

"He has a good pedigree and his experience will be invaluable for us," Wright
told the Daily Post.

Edwards spent three months on loan at Tamworth earlier this season before
returning to favour at St James Park

The Nationwide Conference National play-off final will be played at Leicester
City's Walkers Stadium on Saturday, May 20th.
Stoke City's Britannia Stadium has previously been used but this season's
promotion decider will be at Leicester.
"We are delighted that the Walkers Stadium has been chosen to host such a
prestigious event," said Leicester chief executive Tim Davies.
The Nationwide North final is to be played at Burton Albion's new Pirelli
Stadium, with Stevenage Borough staging the Nationwide South final at Broadhall
Way.

Port Vale manager Martin Foyle has put the block on his youth-team coach and
ex-Vics player Andy Porter signing for FA Vase semi finalists Nantwich Town.

Nantwich had hoped to recruit 37-year-old Porter to help them deal with a
backlog of fixtures, but Foyle has reluctantly refused him permission.
Foyle said: "I would have liked to have helped Nantwich, but we have had to
knock it on the head.
"Our youth team manager Mark Grew has slipped a disc and needs an operation, so
I'm short-staffed.
"I can't risk Andy playing for Nantwich and then getting injured."
Porter added: "I still love playing, but the decision was always with Martin
Foyle because my job has to come first."

UniBond League Premier Division club Radcliffe Borough received a massive boost
towards their relegation battle with the news they had completed the signing of
former star striker Jody Banim on loan for a month from Nationwide North side
Stalybridge Celtic.
The former Boro' hitman scored an incredible 96 goals 125 games in only two and
a half seasons between the 2001/02 and 2003/04 seasons before being sold in
December 2003 to Shrewsbury Town for £20.000.

FUN AND GAMES

YANKEE

This weeks winning code is 1759 - unissued. Next weeks jackpot will be £800.

Messrs Yoxall, Brown, Broome, Leather, Plant, Taylor, Burgess, England, Painter
and Brown each win £40 for trebles.

MATCH OF THE DAY

Matches for 25 March

Vics v Lancaster

Gateshead v Witton

Aston Villa v Fulham

THIS WEEKS CONFERENCE NORTH GAMES

Friday, 24 March 2006

Leigh RMI v Hyde

Moor Green v Alfreton Town

Saturday, 25 March 2006

Barrow v Worksop

Droylsden v Harrogate Town

Gainsborough v Hucknall

Hednesford v Worcester

Hinckley Utd v Stafford Rangers

Northwich v Lancaster City

Stalybridge v Kettering

Vauxhall Motors v Nuneaton

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Barrow v Vauxhall Motors,

Northwich v Workington,

Stafford Rangers v Kettering,