Widnes F.C.
Widnes Football Club are an English association football club, based in Widnes, Cheshire. They are currently members of the , playing their home matches at Halton Stadium, Widnes. They are affiliated to the Liverpool County FA. History. Early years: 2003 to 2012. The club was founded in February 2003 as The Dragons A.F.C. by former secretary Bill Morley as a local junior football club. In 2008, the club was awarded the FA Charter Standard Development award for its continuous development of grassroots football. 2012 to present. In March 2012, Widnes Dragons began a consultation process with Widnes Vikings RLFC  to become part of the Vikings Sports Brand, a partnership that was agreed to enhance the club's community status. On 10 July 2012, at the club's AGM, the club's members unanimously agreed to become a part of the Widnes Sports Group and agreed on a 12-month transitional period up to the end of that current season (2012–13). The next step in the club's progression was made in season 2013–14 when Widnes Vikings FC was admitted into the football pyramid and placed within North West Counties Football League Division One. In March 2014, the club's  committee called an EGM for its members to decide on the future of the club. A unanimous vote was made that the club was to move away from the Vikings brand and to restructure the club to secure its own identity and long-term future. Subsequently, the club parted ways with the Vikings brand and became known as Widnes Football Club, which was symbolic in representing where the team and its fans came from whilst recognising that a new club needed to be built to establish confidence in the local community and support young local talent in Widnes. In 2016 , a change in board structure lead to the appointment of Ian Ross as Chairman with a Board of Directors being established. Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard were appointed joint managers, replacing previous manager Steve Hill who left the Club following the end of the 2015-16 season. However, following an indifferent start to the season, Meadowcroft and Pritchard left the Club and were replaced by Joey Dunn, who was subsequently appointed manager. The season ended on a highly successful note as under Dunn's management, Widnes were crowned North West Counties Football League Division One Champions with a game to  spare after a 5-1 win at AFC Blackpool. In summer 2017, the club began to re-establish a youth section with the introduction of a development squad and two junior teams at Under 7 and Under 9 age groups. Despite Dunn's resignation early in the 2017-18 season, the club enjoyed yet another highly successful season. Senior players Steve Akrigg and Kevin Towey were appointed joint player managers, leading the club to promotion to the Northern Premier League and victory in the final of the North West Counties Challenge Cup against Burscough. Crest and colours. Since its foundation , the club has always worn a white home strip. They currently play in black shorts and white socks. The club's away kit is all yellow. Stadium. Widnes moved into the Halton Stadium in 2012, ahead of their debut and so far only season in the West Cheshire League. They played their first home game at the stadium against Chester Nomads Reserves on 1 September 2012. The club's highest attendance at the stadium is 522 set on 18 December 2021 against Runcorn Linnets.