Those of you who viewed Karl Marginson’s post-match interview following the Widnes game on Saturday, will have heard The Boss announce that our goalkeeper Sam Booth has signed a contract with the Club. Not all players at this level are on contracts – it’s a big decision for both parties – but this is a clear indication that if we get the right player and the right deal, Trafford FC is prepared to make these kinds of commitments. Margy says of this signing:
“I’m absolutely delighted that Sam has accepted the offer to join us on contract. He’s been immense since joining us and it just so happens he’s a bloody good bloke as well! This signing shows the tremendous support the board have given us since taking over in October and it’s a statement of the commitment to the club’s growth from them. On behalf of all the staff I’d like to thank the board for this.”
There’s no doubt that Sam has produced some tremendous performances since making his debut on 25th November last year against Kidsgrove. We look forward to seeing him pulling off many more amazing saves in the green (or purple!) goalie jersey, starting with this Saturday’s home game versus 1874 Northwich!

Tom Baker has resigned as manager of Trafford Football Club.

35-year-old Baker has been in charge at Shawe View for five years and won the 2019 Integro League Cup.

When the 2019-20 season was curtailed due to the coronavirus in March, Trafford were in ninth place in the Northern Premier League North West Division and had reached the final of the Manchester Premier Cup.

Baker was appointed manager in the summer of 2015. The former midfielder had a distinguished playing career which included spells as captain of Chorley and Halifax. Trafford was his first managerial post after having to retire prematurely due to injury. Baker also led Trafford to the Play-offs in 2017/18 and a Manchester Premier Cup Final appearance the same season.

Baker has cited personal reasons for his departure. Everyone at the club sends their best wishes and huge thanks to Tom for his hard work and professionalism throughout his tenure, and for the success and memorable moments he has brought to the club. There will always be a warm welcome for him should he return to Shawe View at some point in the future.

The club has promoted from within and Baker’s assistant-manager Danny Caldecott has accepted the position of manager and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

12th June 2020

Ahead of our home game versus Witton Albion today, we have heard some very sad news overnight – the passing of one of our former managers, Mike Mckenzie.
Mike was manager of Trafford FC from just after Christmas 2002 until the mid-point of the following season, 2003-04.
As a player he had a distinguished career in local football as a midfielder. After retiring from playing, Mike’s managerial career took off at the amateur side Astro FC in the late 1980’s. Astro swept all before them at Sunday League level, winning many honours in their league and beyond. This success led to Mike being given the job at Winsford United in the Unibond NPL 1st Division. After leading Winsford to promotion to the NPL Premier Division, Mike took on the Hyde United job in 1994 (following a short spell at Witton Albion) and after spending seven years in charge at Ewen Fields, Mike could count three Manchester Premier Cups, a Cheshire Cup, an NPL Cup, and a Peter Swales Shield amongst his trophies. Hyde also reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup, and two FA Trophy semi-finals under his leadership.
After leaving Hyde in 2001, McKenzie was handed the Trafford job at a difficult time for the club. Struggling on and off the pitch, it was a transitional period for the club and a difficult job for anyone to walk into. Mike departed Shawe View after just under a year in the hot seat. There was no doubting however, his hard work and commitment to trying to turn things round.
Mckenzie later returned to being in charge of an all-conquering amateur side: Moss Side FC, who won the Manchester Sunday League for ten successive years whilst picking up a number of NW Sunday Champions League titles. Alongside this, his work in coaching young players and inspiring young people in his community, has been exemplary for many years.
It is with great sadness that we learn of his passing, and the Club sends its condolences to Mike’s family and friends.
(Picture from Hyde United FC)

We now know our fixture list for the new campaign! The NPL West Division is where Trafford will compete with 19 other clubs this coming season. Danny Caldecott’s squad kick off 2022-23 away at Skelmersdale on Saturday 13th August. Our first home game is three days later – Tuesday 16th versus Colne.

The long trip to Workington happens on a Tuesday night 23rd August, while Saturday November 12th sees full-time professional club Macclesfield visit Shawe View for a game that’s highly likely to see our record attendance figure surpassed.

The Christmas and New Year period sees us travel to Ramsbottom United on Boxing Day, whilst 2nd January brings Glossop North End to the Home Estates Shawe View. For the Easter weekend, Trafford travel to Bootle on Easter Saturday April 8th, then two days later on Easter Monday (10th April) Rammy are the visitors to our home.

The final game of the season is on Saturday April 22nd when we entertain Runcorn Linnets.

The full fixture list is below; Please note that cup games are also shown including potential further fixtures should we progress through the rounds, all the way to the FA Cup and FA Trophy finals! All fixtures are of course subject to change depending on cup competitions.

For up-to-the-minute news, follow us on Twitter @FCTrafford and also on Facebook.

TRAFFORD – Pitching In Northern Premier League – West
Sat Aug 13 Skelmersdale United A
Tue Aug 16 Colne H
Sat Aug 20 Emirates FA Cup Prelim
Tue Aug 23 Workington A
Sat Aug 27 Bootle H
Mon Aug 29 Glossop North End A
Sat Sep 3 Emirates FA Cup 1Q
Tue Sep 6 Mossley H
Sat Sep 10 Isuzu FA Trophy 1Q
Tue Sep 13 Clitheroe A
Sat Sep 17 Kidsgrove Athletic H [Emirates FA Cup 2Q]
Sat Sep 24 Isuzu FA Trophy 2Q
Sat Oct 1 City Of Liverpool FC A [Emirates FA Cup 3Q]
Sat Oct 8 Leek Town H [Isuzu FA Trophy 3Q]
Sat Oct 15 1874 Northwich A [Emirates FA Cup 4Q]
Sat Oct 22 Widnes A
Sat Oct 29 Witton Albion H [Isuzu FA Trophy 1]
Sat Nov 5 Hanley Town A [Emirates FA Cup 1]
Sat Nov 12 Macclesfield H
Sat Nov 19 Runcorn Linnets A [Isuzu FA Trophy 2]
Sat Nov 26 Newcastle Town H [Emirates FA Cup 2]
Sat Dec 3 Prescot Cables H
Sat Dec 10 Kidsgrove Athletic A
Sat Dec 17 Skelmersdale United H [Isuzu FA Trophy 3]
Mon Dec 26 Ramsbottom United A
Mon Jan 2 Glossop North End H
Sat Jan 7 Colne A [Emirates FA Cup 3]
Sat Jan 14 Workington H [Isuzu FA Trophy 4]
Sat Jan 21 Clitheroe H
Sat Jan 28 Prescot Cables A [Emirates FA Cup 4]
Sat Feb 4 City Of Liverpool FC H
Tue Feb 7 Mossley A
Sat Feb 11 Isuzu FA Trophy 5
Sat Feb 18 1874 Northwich H
Sat Feb 25 Leek Town A
Wed Mar 1 Emirates FA Cup 5
Sat Mar 4 Widnes H
Sat Mar 11 Isuzu FA Trophy 6
Sat Mar 18 Witton Albion A [Emirates FA Cup Quarter-Final]
Sat Mar 25 Hanley Town H
Sat Apr 1 Macclesfield A [Isuzu FA Trophy Semi-Final]
Sat Apr 8 Bootle A
Mon Apr 10 Ramsbottom United H
Sat Apr 15 Newcastle Town A
Sat Apr 22 Runcorn Linnets H [Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final]
Sun May 21 Isuzu FA Trophy Final
Sat Jun 3 Emirates FA Cup Final

TRAFFORD FC’s Christmas party last Friday (December 16th) turned into full-on Festive fun as around 140 people danced the night away at The John Alker Club in Flixton.

A minor disaster was averted when the Football Club was able to provide hundreds of plastic drinks glasses, thus averting the impossibility of running an event with a broken glasswashing machine! The show MUST go on as they say!

The Fraudsters – Manchester’s finest indie/Britpop tribute band played 2 x 1-hour sets, the highlight being a magnificent rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie by one of our Tea Bar volunteers! Aside from this, the band, featuring TFC Committee Member “Burkey” on drums, blasted out countless hits from the likes of James, The Smiths, The Killers, Blondie, The Stone Roses, The Jam, Jackie Wilson, The Beatles, and Duran Duran.

Also on stage, two other members of TFC’s volunteer team – Muggsy and Browny – hosted a thrilling and funny game of Stand-Up Bingo, plus an auction that raised £340 for club funds.

Everyone had a great night – Thank you to the John Alker staff for working so hard to fill those plastic glasses (!) thank you to The Fraudsters, and thank you to ALL of you who attended, filled the dancefloor all night, and helped make a bit of money towards our wonderful little community club. See you soon!

TRAFFORD slipped to defeat at Bootle this afternoon, in their penultimate Pitching-In NPL away league fixture. A disappointing performance was summed up by manager Danny Caldecott when asked by our reporter Stephen Marsden what happened, the Boss replied “Nothing happened – that’s why we got beat 2-0”. The team failed to get going, and Caldecott’s full post match analysis/interview will be published on our Trafford TV You Tube channel in the next day or two. Dave Law’s match report can be found here.

Suffice to say it was a proverbial bad day at the office for the Yellows, where they spent much of the game struggling to get their passing game running as smoothly as we know it can.
There’s an excellent chance to make amends however this bank holiday Monday when Trafford entertain Ramsbottom United at the Home Estates Shawe View, kick off 3pm.

THE 2023/24 season will soon be upon us. There’s LOADS you’re all dying to know….. So here’s what we can tell you so far:

1. Pre-season friendlies ALL IN JULY are as follows:

– Saturday 8th Curzon Ashton (Home; 3pm)
– Tuesday 11th Cheadle Heath Nomads (Away; 7.45pm)
– Saturday 15th Warrington Rylands (Home; 3pm)
– Tuesday 18th New Mills (Away; 7.45pm)
– Saturday 22nd Ashton Utd (Home; 3pm)
– Tuesday 25th Chadderton (Away; 7.45pm)
– Saturday 29th Atherton Collieries (Home; 3pm)

Admission prices to each of our home friendlies will be £5 general admission; £3 Concessions; £1 Under 16’s

2. The season proper starts on August 5th when we’ll be taking part in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round. Our opponent and venue are as yet unknown – the draw is due to take place on Friday 7th July.

3. The full fixture list is expected to be announced by The Northern Premier League in the next week or two. We will announce our fixtures as soon as we have them, via our Twitter/Facebook accounts, and our website www.traffordfc.com; You can also follow The NPL on Twitter on @NorthernPremLge or visit their website at www.thenpl.co.uk

4. Admission prices for home League & Cup games this coming season will remain as they were EXCEPT for general adult admission, which rises from £9 to £10. This means our prices for 2023-24 are as follows:

– Adults £10 (£1 rise on last season)
– Concessions: £6 (no change)
– Kids Under 16: £2 (no change)

5. Season ticket prices have been frozen again this season. The general adult season ticket is therefore £150; Concessionary season tickets are £90; Under 16’s are £30. Please note season tickets are for home LEAGUE GAMES ONLY – not cup/knock-out games. We’ll play 19 home league games this season, so the adult season ticket equates to less than £8 per game or a saving of £40 across the season. Savings are also to be had with the concession and kids season tickets. If you’d like to purchase a ST, please speak to our turnstile staff at one of our home pre-season friendlies, or contact the club on any of the details at the end of this message.

6. In terms of sponsorship, from sponsoring your favourite player for £50, to sponsoring the Shawe View Stadium itself (negotiable) you or your business are welcome to support the club in the best way possible. Various deals are available and we are always available to discuss your requirements, but as a broad guide we have the following:

• Match sponsorship: You and your guests have access to the hospitality lounge with complimentary food & drinks. Prices start at £150 for four people; Included is a full page advert in the matchday programme, mentions on our website and socials, and announcements over the PA; Match ball sponsorship packages are also available – please contact us to discuss.

• Pitchside perimeter advertising boards come in size 2.4m (8ft) x 0.75m (2½ ft) and are only £200 per season (plus a one-off £50 board manufacturing fee); Larger boards are possible.

• Programme advertisements start at £60 for the smallest advert (corner page) to £250 for a full colour full page. Again, please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.

Many other sponsorship opportunities are also available, such as sponsoring a stand at the Shawe View stadium, to sponsoring our website or newsletter; We have Youth and Junior teams who are looking for sponsorship, and all our sponsors get regular retweets/postings with shared links to their company websites sent to our thousands of followers (for example, in excess of 12k on Twitter)

We are always open to new ideas re. sponsorship / investment, so please contact us if you are interested in supporting the club in any way at all. We are an energetic and ambitious club, and we’d love to partner with you, so please contact our Chairman & Treasurer John Eadie on 07847 464108 or via email on chairman@traffordfc.com [NB – All sponsorship prices are subject to VAT]

Other contacts at the club include:

Match secretary Dave Murray (davem@traffordfc.co.uk 07551982299 TEXT OR WHATSAPP MESSAGE ONLY PLEASE!)

Club director Pete McGrath (pete.mcgrath@traffordfc.com )

You can also contact us via the “contact” page on our website www.traffordfc.com or via Twitter or Facebook messenger services.

WE CAN’T WAIT TO GET STARTED!!!!

News of a couple of departures from the Shawe View playing staff this evening: Following a 7-day approach from Mossley FC recently, Alfie Belcher has chosen to accept an offer from them and make the move to Seel Park. Meanwhile Matty Barlow has decided to ply his trade elsewhere and has asked to be released, which manager Karl Marginson has agreed to. Both players joined the club in 2020/21 and we thank them for their service in Trafford white/yellow, and wish them all the best for their future careers…….

…….and news of a couple of incomings to the squad: Defender Kwame Osigwe, who made his debut in Saturday’s game away at Stalybridge, has signed for us permanently, as has left sided attacker Damola Sotona. Kwame was a junior at Bolton Wanderers and has since played for Altrincham, Glossop NE, Cheadle Heath Nomads and most recently Wythenshawe FC; Damola most recently played for Bury, and has also represented Ramsbottom Utd, Northwich Vics, and Squires Gate. Welcome to Trafford gents!

TRAFFORD suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Prescot Cables today (Saturday 3rd December). Matty Morgan’s goal was double-cancelled by Prescot’s Jack Goodwin’s brace. Dave Law’s full match report will be published soon, so keep your eyes on this website for the full story……

TRAFFORD’s first home game of the season ended with a narrow 0-1 defeat to Bootle FC this evening (Tuesday 13th August).
The visitors had a man sent off after roughly half an hour, and despite a really good performance from Trafford in the 1st half, being down to 10-men seemed to inspire the Merseysiders to grind out the victory.
Dave Law’s match report will be up soon, so check back here on traffordfc.com for the full story.
Trafford are next in action this Saturday at home, in the Emirates FA Cup versus Emley FC, kick off 3pm.