Congleton Town F.C.
ClubnameCongleton Town
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FullnameCongleton Town Football Club
Founded1901 (age 125)
GroundCleric Stadium[1] (Since 1903 (age 123))
Capacity1,500 (250 seated)
ManagerRichard Duffy
Current2025–26 Northern Premier League#Division One West
Websitehttps://ctfc.club/
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Congleton Town Football Club is an association football club based in Congleton, Cheshire, England. They currently play in the and are full members of the Cheshire County Football Association. The club have played in a number of regional leagues in the Cheshire area.

History

The club was formed in 1901 and joined the Crewe and District League, and were crowned champions in their first three seasons from 1901–02 to 1903–04. In 1904–05, they finished in fifth place.[2] They then joined the North Staffordshire and District League in the 1905–06 season finishing in third place. Up until the outbreak of World War I their highest league placing came in 1914–15 when they were runners-up. When the league resumed after the war Congleton spent one last season in the league, 1919–20 finishing as league champions.[3]

In 1920, they joined the Cheshire County League, finishing as runners-up to Winsford in their first season, 1920–21,[4] under player-manager Hugh Moffat.[5] In 1939–40, they spent one season in the Macclesfield and District League, finishing in equal first place and winning the end of season play-off against Bollington Cross to be crowned champions.[6]

When football resumed after World War II Congleton Town were once again back in the Cheshire County League. However, the struggled at first including finishing in last place in 1947–48.[7] The club continued to struggle and spent the 1950s finishing toward the bottom of the table each season.[8]

They began the 1960s still struggling culminating in a last place finish in 1964–65,[9] before joining the Manchester League in the 1965–66 season, finishing in fifth place. Their stay in the league though lasted just three seasons[10] and in the 1968–69 season they joined the Mid-Cheshire League, finishing in eighth place. In 1969–70, they were runners-up. They were runners-up again in 1971–72 then in 1973–74 they were crowned Mid-Cheshire league champions. The following season they finished third before winning the league for a second time in 1975–76. After another runners-up finish in 1976–77, they won the title for a third time in 1977–78, their last season in the league.[11] In 1978, the club re-joined the Cheshire County League, finishing in seventh place in their first season back in the league, 1978–79. They won the league in its final season, 1981–82[12] before the league merged with the Lancashire Combination to form the North West Counties Football League in which they were founder members in 1982–83. In 1985–86, they were runners-up in the league, only missing out on the title on goal difference. In 1987–88, they joined the Northern Premier League in the newly created Division One, finishing in ninth place. In the 1989–90 season, they reached the First Round of the FA Cup after beating Witton Albion in the fourth qualifying round. In the first round they were drawn away to Football League club Crewe Alexandra where they lost 2–0. However, they struggled most years at the higher level of the Northern Premier League and after finishing in last place in the 2000–01 season,[13] they were relegated to the North West Counties Football League Division One.

At the end of the 2001–02 season, Congleton were denied the chance of winning the Mid Cheshire Cup title in a controversial Final against Northwich Victoria. Northwich won the Cup in a penalty shoot out but it was discovered after the match that their winning penalty taker had actually been substituted prior to the shoot out taking place. Despite protests from some supporters, the result was allowed to stand in the match taking place at Northwich's own ground.

They did though reach the fourth round of the FA Trophy where they lost 6–2 to Worksop Town. The club remained in Division One which was renamed the Premier Division for the 2008–09 season.[14]

At the end of the 2008–09 season, Congleton finished fourth in the Premier Division, behind AFC Fylde, New Mills and Newcastle Town, with only the first placed side gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League. Regardless of where they had finished, Congleton would not have gained promotion because they did not submit a promotion application.

At the end of the 2010–11 season, joint managers Anthony Buckle and Darren Twigg stepped down. Giuseppe "Joe" Paladino, ex-Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, who was assistant manager at Rossendale United at the end of last season was appointed at the beginning of the season, but some disappointing results and declining attendances saw his reign short-lived. He was replaced on 6 November 2011 by Dean Sibson, who took on the role of caretaker manager until a successor was appointed on 31 January 2012. Jim Vince, former FC Halifax, Witton Albion, Woodley Sports and Abbey Hey manager now takes up the reins.

In November 2014, it was announced that Jim Vince would step down as manager after three years in the role. Assistants Steve Hardy and Mike McDonald would take temporary charge.[15] At the end of the 2020–21 season, the club were transferred to the Premier Division of the Midland League. This was only temporary as they were allowed to return to the North West Counties league on appeal.[16] The club spent two further years in the NWCFL before more league reorganisation forced them into the Midland League for the 23/24 season - the club decided against an appeal this time.

The 2022/23 season was one of the most successful in the club's history, reaching the semi-final of the FA Vase, the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup (in front of the BBC cameras), winning the Macron League Cup and for the first time in 85 years, capturing the Cheshire Senior Cup.

The move to the Midland League proved to be huge as the Bears won the Midland Prem and League Cup, gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League West.

The 24-25 season saw the Bears finish a superb third in the NPL West, just missing out on promotion as they lost to Hednesford Town in the Play-Off Final.

Community ownership

In May 2014, the club was taken over by a community benefit society owned by fans of the club.[citation needed]

Stadium

The team initially played its matches on the Chaddock-Lowndes field at the top of Booth Street before moving to its current site on the upper half of the adjacent West Field in the summer of 1903.

The main stand has 250 seats[17] and all four sides of the pitch now offer covered standing areas for supporters. The stadium is currently known as the Cleric Stadium for sponsorship reasons.

Current squad

[18]

Club management and coaching staff

[18]

NameRole
Charles PorterChairman
Ken MeadFirst Team Secretary
Chris RowleyDirector of Senior Football
Richard DuffyPlayer-manager
Louis DoddsAssistant Manager
Peter WardFirst Team Coach
Abigail BlytheClub Physio

Recent seasons

As of 26 April 2026[19][20][21]

ChampionsRunners-upPromotedRelegatedSemi-finals
SeasonLeagueFA CupOther competitionsTop scorer – League goals in ()Average
attendance (League)
DivisionPldWDLFAPtsPosName
2025–26NPL West4210141860724418thQR2FA TrophyQR2Max McCarthy17 (17)[22]589[23]
Cheshire Senior Cupbgcolor=|R2
2024–25NPL West42246128256783rdEPRFA TrophyR1Max McCarthy23 (19)[24]700[25]
Cheshire Senior Cupbgcolor=|R2
NPL West Play-offsRU
2023–24MFL Premier Division3425631013181
1st
(Promoted to NPL West)[26]		PRFA VaseR3Daniel Needham26 (21)[27]624[28]
MFL CupW
Cheshire Senior CupSF
2022–23NWCFL Premier Division42198157062658th (Transferred to MFL Premier Division)QR3FA VaseSFTom Pope18 (7)296
NWCFL CupW
Cheshire Senior CupW
2021–22NWCFL Premier Division401610146754589thEPRFA VaseR4Tom Pope20 (17)327
NWCFL CupSF
Cheshire Senior CupR1

Honours

League

○ Champions (1): 2023–24[26]
○ Champions (1): 1981–82[29]
○ Champions (3): 1973–74,[30] 1975–76,[31] 1977–78[32]
  • Macclesfield and District League
○ Champions (1): 1939–40[33]
  • North Staffordshire and District League
○ Champions (1): 1919–20[34]
  • Crewe and District League
○ Champions (3): 1901–02,[35] 1902–03,[36] 1903–04[37]

Cup

○ Winners (1): 2023–24[38][39]
○ Winners (1): 2022–23[40][41]
○ Winners (3): 1920–21,[42] 1937–38,[43] 2022–23[40]
  • Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup
○ Winners (1): 2006–07[44]
  • Mid-Cheshire League Cup
○ Winners (2): 1971–72,[45] 1977–78[46]
  • Cheshire Amateur Cup/Cheshire Saturday Cup
○ Winners (3): 1905–06,[47] 1906–07,[48] 1977–78[49]
  • Sentinel Cup
○ Winners (1): 1939–40[50]
  • Crewe and District Cup
○ Winners (1): 1903–04[51][52]

Notable players

For a list of Congleton Town F.C. players with articles on Wikipedia, see .

Congleton Town F.C. players who attained at least one international cap during their career.

Club records

Attendance records in 21st century

[59][60]

  • Highest home attendance (Top 3):
1,668[a] v Macclesfield, 26 March 2022 – NWCFL Premier Division
1,501 v Chasetown, 29 April 2025 – NPL West Play-offs Semi-final
1,436 v Newport Pagnell Town, 1 April 2023 – FA Vase Semi-final
  • Highest away attendance:
4,790 v Bury, 3 April 2026 – NPL West

Only includes attendances at league home fixtures, rounded to two decimal places; number in brackets is change in % from previous season. Source: Tony Kempster's site Non League Matters NW Counties Football League site

Notes

  1. ^ Played at Gresty Road, Crewe.

References

  1. ^ "Information | Congleton Town FC". 5 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Crewe & District League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  3. ^ "North Staffs & District League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  4. ^ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[dead link]
  5. ^ "England Players – Hugh Moffat". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Macclesfield and District League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  7. ^ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[dead link]
  8. ^ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[dead link]
  9. ^ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Retrieved 16 December 2008.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Manchester League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  11. ^ "Mid-Cheshire League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  12. ^ "Cheshire County League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  13. ^ "Northern Premier League tables". Congleton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  14. ^ "Congleton Town". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  15. ^ "Bears part company with Manager Jim Vince". Congleton Town F.C. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Congleton Town FC back where they belong". Congleton Chronicle. 2021-07-01. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  17. ^ "Congleton Town FC". Pyramid Passion. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  18. ^ "Midland Football League - Congleton Town - Players". thefa.com. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  19. ^ "NWCFL | Congleton Town Club Information Page". www.nwcfl.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  20. ^ "Midland Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  21. ^ "The Pitching In Northern Premier League". Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Northern Premier League - West Division – Goalscorers". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  23. ^ "Northern Premier League - West Division – Average Attendances – Home Matches". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
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  25. ^ "Northern Premier League - West Division – Average Attendances – Home Matches". Football Web Pages. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  26. ^ McLaughlin, Mike (11 April 2024). "Bears are Midland League champions". Congleton Chronicle. p. 34.
  27. ^ "Midland Football League - Player Stats". thefa.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Midland Football League - Attendance Statistics". nonleaguematters.co.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  29. ^ "TOWN'S TITLE.
    Skelmersdale 0 Congleton 2."    . Evening Sentinel. 12 May 1982. p. 17. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  30. ^ "Champions". Liverpool Echo. 23 May 1974. p. 33. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  31. ^ "MID-CHESHIRE LEAGUE.
    FIRST DIVISION - Final Placings."    . Wilmslow and Alderley and Knutsford Advertiser. 13 May 1976. p. 78. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  32. ^ "SAD WILLASTON - Mid-Cheshire League Champions Congleton Town won the Cheshire F.A. Saturday Cup at Northwich when they beat Willaston 1-0.". Liverpool Echo. 10 April 1978. p. 16. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  33. ^ "CHAMPIONS v. REST". The Macclesfield Times and East Cheshire Observer. 4 April 1940. p. 5. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  34. ^ "NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE LEAGUE". Evening Sentinel. 8 May 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  35. ^ "MARKET DRAYTON". Evening Sentinel. 5 April 1902. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  36. ^ "CONGLETON". Evening Sentinel. 18 Apr 1903. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  37. ^ "CONGLETON". Evening Sentinel. 7 May 1904. p. 17. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  38. ^ "May 1, Congleton Town 5 Highgate United 1 | Midland Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  39. ^ McLaughlin, Mike (9 May 2024). "Mighty Bears sweep to a historic double". Congleton Chronicle. p. 36.
  40. ^ Yates, Joe (11 May 2023). "Club does double for first time in 122 years". Congleton Chronicle. p. Front Page.
  41. ^ "Congleton Town - Macron Cup Winners 2022–23". NWCFL.com. 8 May 2023. Archived 9 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  42. ^ "CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL
    Record Crowd and a Great Game
    CONGLETON TOWN WIN THE TROPHY"    . The Macclesfield Times and East Cheshire Observer. 15 April 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  43. ^ "CONGLETON SURVIVE THIRD REPLAY
    WORTHY WINNERS OF CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP"    . The Chronicle. 7 May 1938. p. 3. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  44. ^ "Witton Albion 0, Congleton Town 3". Cheshire Live. 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  45. ^ "Congleton win challenge cup.". Evening Sentinel. 19 May 1972. p. 16. Retrieved 12 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  46. ^ "Biddulph Final". Evening Sentinel. 11 May 1978. p. 8. Retrieved 12 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  47. ^ "CHESHIRE AMATEUR CUP.
    RE-PLAYED FINAL TIE."    . The Runcorn Guardian. 2 May 1906. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  48. ^ "CHESHIRE AMATEUR CUP FINAL.
    CONGLETON v. WALLASEY VILLAGE."    . Birkenhead News. 3 April 1907. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  49. ^ "SAD WILLASTON". Liverpool Echo. 10 April 1978. p. 16. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  50. ^ "CONGLETON WIN SENTINEL CUP". Evening Sentinel. 18 May 1940. p. 4. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  51. ^ "CREWE AND DISTRICT CUP FINAL". The Runcorn Guardian. 13 April 1904. p. 6. Retrieved 11 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  52. ^ "CONGLETON.
    Football Jubilation."    . Evening Sentinel. 16 April 1904. p. 5. Retrieved 12 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  53. ^ "Northwich Victoria lose 10-0 to Congleton Town". Northwich Guardian. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  54. ^ "Stalybridge C. v. Congleton T.". Evening Sentinel. 2 Nov 1929. p. 7. Retrieved 12 April 2024. – via Newspapers.com
  55. ^ "Cheshire County League". The Athletic News. 13 February 1922. p. 6.
  56. ^ "Football Club History Database - Congleton Town". www.fchd.info. Archived 3 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine.
  57. ^ McLaughlin, Mike (6 April 2023). "Battling Bears fall at the last hurdle". Congleton Chronicle. p. 37.
  58. ^ "Leeds United F.C. History"
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  60. ^ "North West Counties League Premier Division - NonLeagueMatters"