Former Nantwich defender Ritchie Sutton has made his debut for Port Vale in the Football League.  After featuring in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, ‘Suts’ got a taste of the real thing as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Bradford on 4th September 2010.

Ritchie, who joined the Valiants in the close season on a six-month contract, has now signed an extension to keep him at Vale to the end of the season:  Click here for details

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The Nantwich Chronicle previews the Cheshire Amateur Cup Final against Sandbach Ramblers - yes, Nantwich did win!

(Nov 2010)  Kelvin Mellor became the second former Nantwich player to make his Football League debut this season when he came on as a late substitute for Crewe Alexandra in their 2-1 win at Morecambe on 27th November.  The youngster follows in the footsteps of Ritchie Sutton who has appeared on the League stage with Port Vale.  Kelvin subsequently went on loan to Leek Town in February 2011.

Former Nantwich player Jimmy Quinn was named the club’s new Manager in March 2011.  ‘Quinny’ first played for the Dabbers in August 1979 and, after an illustrious playing career that earned him 46 caps for Northern Ireland, he returned to assist Nantwich during the club’s epic 2006 FA Vase winning campaign.  More on Quinny here

(July 2011)  With the new season approaching, former Nantwich players are signing up thick and fast for new clubs throughout the non-league scene.  Centre half Ritchie Sutton who left the Weaver Stadium for Port Vale last summer has signed for Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Mansfield Town.  Former joint-manager Darren Tinson has joined Neil Baker’s Leek Town as has Mark Fitton whilst Tinno’s former co-manager Kevin Street is training with Evo-Stik Premier side Stafford Rangers alongside a host of former Dabbers including Glynn Blackhurst, Ryan Dicker, Paul Donnelly, Peter Heler, Alan Nagington, Danny Reade and Liam Shotton.

Elsewhere, ex-Dabber John Diskin is the new chief at Newcastle Town in the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South and has already brought in two experienced former Nantwich men in Dave MacPherson and Dave Whittaker.  Anthony Buckle, who resigned as Congleton Town joint-manager at the end of the season is Assistant to former Nantwich boss Peter Ward at Kidsgrove Athletic.  Ex-Dabbers Mark Beeston, Danny Griggs and Richard Smith have joined ‘Bucks’ in making the short trip from Booth Street to Hollinwood Road and with FA Vase winners Andy Kinsey and Andy Taylor also signing, ‘Grove will have a distinctly ex-Nantwich flavour to their line-up with Dave Walker already amongst their ranks.

Burly front man Matt Rhead has switched Blue Square Bet North clubs, moving from Eastwood Town to Corby Town and goalkeeper Lloyd Parry who featured for the Dabbers five seasons ago has signed for Norton United in the North West Counties League.  Former player and Manager Pete Hall has stood down as Manager of Eccleshall where ex-Dabbers youth coach Kierron Hammatt has taken over the reins.  Meanwhile, former Nantwich keeper Stuart Heeps is the new Assistant Manager at Alsager Town where FA Vase winner James Marrow will be plying his trade.

Vase winners on the move:

Kinsey ............... Griggs ............ Reade

(Oct 2011)  Former Nantwich defender Liam Francis has joined Solihull Moors on loan from Tamworth.  Meanwhile striker Nathan Southern has moved from Alsager Town in the North West Counties League to Stone Dominoes, teaming up with fellow former Nantwich youth striker Omar Mahmoud (pictured above).  Defender Charlie Reeves has left Stafford Rangers to depart for a one year work placement in Hong Kong.  Richard Smith has gone to Norton United in the NWCL First Division for a loan spell and the Dabbers are likely to be coming up against Chris Shaw this season as he is a regular for Hednesford Town - along with Marvin Robinson and Chris Clements.

Meanwhile, former loanee Rod MacDonald is with Colwyn Bay in the Blue Square North.  (update - Rod McDonald returned to the Weaver Stadium from Colwyn Bay in December 2011)