Nantwich Town’s day in the sun

Nantwich Town are a proud club of 140 years and sit in the heart of South Cheshire. Despite all of the history it is quite clear which sits at the very top of the club’s moments. Time to go into the Semi Pro time machine back to a spring day in 2006…

The date is the 6th May 2006 and Nantwich Town are on their way to St Andrews, the home of Birmingham City in search for their first ever major honour. In fact the game was originally planned to be the club’s first ever trip to Wembley.

They also would have been one of the first teams to play at the Stadium since its major redevelopment. However, the plans for the Vase to be held there as a test event were cancelled at short notice and instead the stadium in the second city was chosen. 

The stadium welcomed an attendance of around 3500 spectators for what was the 32nd FA Vase final. When the team initially entered the competition they were one of 493 and at this point they had seen off all but one, Hillingdon Borough. Goals for the Dabbers came in the 14th,30th and one midway into the second half.

Which would have put the fans that travelled from the Cheshire town much more at ease. Despite the jubilation in the stands, Nantwich forward Andy Kinsey may have regretted his decision to celebrate in exaggerated fashion after his goal in the second half.

The Dabbers captain threw his shirt into the air after scoring his second goal of the historic day. However, in the process of doing so dislocated his shoulder and was forced off due to injury. It was a sad end to what is sure to be classed as one of the greatest days of his career. 

The manager for the showcase occasion, has gone on to have a highly successful career in management after the catalyst of the FA Vase win.

After managing The Dabbers, Steve Davis went to Crewe Alexandra, another club in South Cheshire. Initially going in as assistant, he took the reins at The Alex in 2011 and led them to promotion to League One in 2012 League Two Playoffs and perhaps even more impressive, the manager led his team to Wembley in the Football League Trophy, winning the competition with a 2-0 defeat of Southend United.

He has even gone on to manage in the Premier League with Wolves in 2022, albeit for only a few games as caretaker. 

The day The Dabbers secured the FA Vase is sure to live long in the memory.

The club got all the way to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 2015-16, knocking off teams such as Salford City, Stourbridge and Dover Athletic on the way – before falling at the penultimate hurdle over two legs against eventual winners FC Halifax Town.

There were even dreams of a potential Wembley trip again in this past season, where the club reached the fourth round of the FA Trophy, beating National League York City along the way.

Eventually, they lost out to Solihull Moors (who reached the final). A look at what could have been. But the Dabbers can go again next year, first and foremost with promotion back to The Northern Premier League as the priority.