History
Events which led to the formation of Congleton Town Football Club, began in the 1890’s, the St James’ North Street School amalgamated with another local club, the Messrs Pointons Joiners Shop. They played on West Heath before housing was built in that area, and then became Congleton Hornets Football Club. The Hornets played at the Willow Street ground famed in Congleton, and competed in the South Cheshire League and recorded its’ record league win, 10-0 against Audley in the 1897/98 season. Congleton Town Football Club succeeded the Hornets in 1901, playing in the Crewe and District League for four years, the first three of which saw the club lift the League Championship. The Club then moved into the North Staffordshire League in 1905, and won the League Championship in the 1919/20 season. The following year they joined the Cheshire County League, regarded at the time as the best League outside the Football League. The following season they finished runners-up and won the coveted Cheshire Senior Cup in their first appearance in the Final. The Club then suffered a barren spell until the Senior Cup was won again in 1938.
Success after the War did not descend on Booth Street until the 1971/72 season when the Club, now playing in the Mid-Cheshire League, won the League Cup after being runners-up in the League both that season and in the previous season. Three Mid-Cheshire League Championships then came to Booth Street in the 1973/74, 1975/76 and 1977/78 seasons, together with the League Cup and the Cheshire Saturday Cup. Although this was the most successful period of the Club’s history as regards silverware, the truly successful period began in the 1981/82 campaign, when the Second Division of the Cheshire County League was gained on the last game of the season, and Town were narrowly beaten to the Cup by Macclesfield Town. That was the last season of the Cheshire County League before the North West Counties League came into existence. As founder members of this new League, Congleton finished the first three campaigns in mid-table and then were narrowly beaten to the Championship by Clitheroe on goal difference in the 1985/86 season. The Club then had its, application to join the Northern Premier League rejected, but joined the higher league when the First Division of the NFL was formed in 1987.
The highlight of the 1989/90 season was to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in the Club’s history. Although beaten 2-0 by Crewe Alexandra, that achievement re-kindled local interest in the Club upon which its management hoped to build. The Final of the NPL’s First Division Cup was also reached in this season, but the “Bears” were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Harrogate Town. The “Bears” enjoyed exciting times in the First Division, initially finishing in mid-table but then, playing to avoid relegation as the seasons come to a close. Between 1993 and 1997 a new Board of Directors brought financial and managerial stability to the Club, whilst the Directors aimed to continue this work and improve the Club’s fortunes in the years ahead. The club had a good season in 1999/2000 but fell away badly the following year. Despite reaching a best ever 4th Round of the FA Trophy before defeat by Worksop Town, they struggled badly in the league. The club appointed Sean Connor as manger in February 2001 but he could not prevent them finishing bottom of the UniBond League and relegation became a reality.
The early season of 2001/02 saw the club take just 9 points from 17 league matches and early exit from FA Cup and FA Vase. Sean Connor was replaced as manager by Kevin Langley, ex Everton and Man City. The club made a fine revival and had reached virtual safety before Langley’s shock move to Kidsgrove Athletic. Bryan Griffiths took over as manager and gained the points to make safety a certainty and stake a strong claim to keep the manager’s job. He was formally appointed at the end of the season. Gary Bickerstaffe joined him as assistant and in September 2002 he invited Kevin Langley to return as a player and to help with coaching. When Griffiths left to join Rossendale Utd, Kevin Langley was re-appointed as manager and Mark Cox joined to complete an experienced management team.
Off the field the club continued to enjoy growing support from sponsors and steady improvements in its facilities, culminating with the signing of a two-year deal with Macclesfield based SSG Group of Companies during the summer of 2003. During the summer of 2002, the clubhouse underwent major refurbishment and is seen by the club as a major step towards increasing its revenue potential. The changing facilities were redesigned and upgraded. The team reached the fifth Round of the FA Vase, beat three higher league sides in reaching the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, the semi-finals of the Cheshire Senior Cup and the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup. In all cup competitions other than the FA Cup, only the eventual finalists beat the Bears. With promotion missed, a number of players left the club in the summer of 2004 leaving Kevin Langley with the task of rebuilding the side for the 2004/05 campaign. After a poor start and early exits from all major cup competitions, Karl Wilcox replaced Kevin Langley after he resigned in November 2005. In a further twist in an already difficult season, Karl Wilcox resigned after 11 defeats in 12 games. Paul Moore was appointed for the remainder of the season and he guided the team to safety before confirmation of his appointment signalled the start of rebuilding of a side aiming to challenge for honours.
2005/06 started brightly with SSG adding a third year to its already valuable sponsorship, but swift exits from cup competitions were a disappointment. After many changes in personnel, the team settled to end the season with a creditable run in that held promise for 2006/07. The start of a football academy for 6-15 year olds and the introduction of a reserve side were positive steps to help build the teams of the future. 2006/07 saw new sponsors STD Limited, part of the Pallex network, entering a 2-year deal which they then extended a further year. The supporters trust provided kit for the reserve team.
After a steady start to the 2006/07 campaign, Paul Moore left to manage Leek Town and Andy Lee took over the managerial reins as the club strived to maintain continuity. The Bears lifted their first piece of silverware for some time when they won the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup after defeating Witton Albion 3-0 at Wincham Park. At the end of the season Andy Lee stepped down as he announced a proposed move to Blackpool and Anthony Buckle and Darren Twigg were appointed with the task of rekindling the on-field performances. Off the field new floodlight housings and bulbs were installed and the stand behind the bottom goal was re-roofed. After a reasonable season, despite a poor final run in, both Anthony and Darren stayed with the club and continued to build a side with promotion the target within the next couple of years. That plan was maintained in 2008/09 as the Bears ended a creditable 4th, just 1 point away from a 3rd place finish. A final run in of just 1 league defeat in the last 20 matches encouraged everyone. With two new key local businessmen, Nick Shatwell and Martin Lenton teaming up to add impetus to the club’s ambition, significant development of the clubs facilities were started. A redesigned entrance, turnstiles and car park were the first step. Refurbishment of the club house followed and tarmac was laid in the car park. For the start of 20010/11 the club now had a hospitality suite for sponsors and a new boardroom. With Ant and Twiggy remaining at the helm, they were busy strengthening the squad for a serious attempt to lift some silverware and to complete the ambition for a return to Northern Premier League football. However, after an indifferent season in 2010/11 the pair tendered their resignation.
2011/12 saw the club jointly managed by Joe Paladino and Adriano Rigoglioso. Assisted by Joe Gibiliru, the playing side were completely reformed but indifferent results led to Dean Sibson placed in temporary charge in early November before Jim Vince was appointed in February 2012. His was tasked with rebuilding the side ready for a real push for promotion in 2012/13. He was initially assisted by Neil Gill and Steve Hardy before Neil left the club mid season. With the addition of Gateley Solicitors and PKF Accountants forming new partnerships with the club, the erection of a new spectator covered standing area and strengthening off field organisation, the club starts the new season with a new found enthusiasm and optimism for 2012/13. That was not borne out completely, so strengthening was needed for 2013/14.
Having been awarded grade E for their ground in March 2013, ready for the next tier in the pyramid, strengthening of the playing squad was a priority and over the close season some additional players were brought in to complement the majority that were staying. Both Jim and Steve Hardy, now with Andy Alston on the coaching staff, looked to improve on the previous year’s achievements with promotion still the obvious goal. With the opportunity to continue strengthening the squad for 2014/15, Jim signed players that would improve the overall quality of the squad and once again push for that elusive promotion place for a return to Northern Premier League football. That wish just failed to materialise and the club once more looked to change direction with the replacement of Jim Vince. Steve Hardy and Mike McDonald took over the running of team affairs with Andy Alston and team captain Andrew Langford able to add their experience to the redeveloping of the side. With a number of players departing in the summer, Mike and Steve started the rebuilding expecting it would take a few matches to get 2015/16 in full swing. 2014 also saw a major development at the club with it coming under the umbrella of Congleton Town Community Football Club Limited. This change that would see new impetus over the coming years particularly off the field.
After a string of disappointing performances and results, the club board moved to appoint Andy Alston and Griff Jones as joint managers. Although neither had a track record of management, the club felt they had the right credentials to bring the best out of the squad. That was proved in an excellent run of 14 games unbeaten in March and April 2016 but work commitments meant Griff could not give the time to his role and during the close season, Andy appointed Tom Baker, from Prescot Cables (and an ex-Bear) as his assistant. Both were tasked to continue the work to build the strength and quality of the squad to try to improve on the 6th place finish in 2015/16. Sadly season 2016/17 proved to be disappointing, culminating in the Bears ending 16th and Andy Alston stepping down.
The Bears moved quickly to appoint Ian Street, who had left 1874 Northwich in March, as manager and he in turn appointed his assistant Brian Pritchard, who played for Witton and is their record appearance holder before he went on to manage them. They were joined by Paul Johnson, an A Licence coach with Port Vale Academy. The appointments rekindled the enthusiasm among fans. Ian's tenure was brief with results disappointing, leaving in November 2017 and Brian Pritchard stepped up with Paul Johnson as coach. They built the squad ready for 2018/19 and a third place in the Premier Division and semi-finalists in the Macron Cup was a fine return on a good season. Paul Johnson opted to step down for season 2019/20 and captain Anthony Griffith (ex Port Vale and Leyton Orient) stepped up as coach. The Bears also won the Premier Division Overall Respect Award for the third year running.
Once more the new season was one the fans were looking to see the Bears do even better than 3rd place. Sadly, a disappointing start to the season saw the Bears win just 5 of 17 matches, including two cup defeats against First Division Opponents. The latter saw Brian Pritchard resign and Anthony Griffith and Chris Rowley take over at the helm. This season also saw the complete replacement of the floodlighting system as the club continued to improve its facilities. Further changes saw Phillip Hadland appointed as joint manager with Anthony Griffith allowing Chris Rowley to resume his role as Director of football. Phil's reign ended before the season came to its premature end.
The early close down of the season allowed the Bears time to appoint ex-Kidsgrove Athletic Ryan Austin as manager. Ryan played as a professional starting with Crewe Alex but played 221 times for Burton Albion before playing for Kidderminster Harriers, Brackley and Kidsgrove Athletic. He brought with him Richard Duffy as player and assistant. Richard played professionally for a number of football league clubs including Swansea City, Portsmouth, Coventry City, Port Vale and Notts County. He has represented Wales at u17, U19, U21 levels and earned 13 caps for his country at senior level. He is also a UEFA ‘A’ licensed coach. Anthony Griffith remained as a coach and also available as a player if required. The new team were charged with adding strength and quality to the squad to challenge for the 3 promotion places once again available in season 2020/21.
Preceding the start of 2020/21 the Bears announced a significant boost for the future of grass roots football in the town with the merger of Congleton Town, Congleton Vale Rovers and Congleton Rovers. The enlarged club will play entirely under the Congleton Town name with a newly designed kit and club badge. It is particularly exciting for all those connected with the Club that Ian and David Brightwell, both with their well-known connections with Manchester City, have agreed to represent the enlarged club as ambassadors. The merged Club will operate boys’ and girls’ teams from under 7s through the age groups to under 18s and then combine its senior football with an Academy team, Reserves, the semi-professional First Team and a Veterans team.
