And the club is keen to hear from any players to register their interest.

Nantwich Town Ladies will be based at the Weaver Stadium and will be an open age team with coaching provided by FA qualified coaching staff.

Matches will take place on Sunday afternoons and if there was interest, the team would play friendly matches or enter the bottom rung of the national pyramid for women’s soccer.

Steve Smithies, Nantwich Town’s football development officer, said: “As an FA Charter Standard Community Club, it’s right we should have a senior women’s team at Nantwich Town.

“We have younger girls playing at the club and a pathway for their development but it is the logical next step to have our own women’s team.”

If you are interested in playing for Nantwich Town Ladies, you can register that interest by emailing admin@nantwichtownfc.com with your name, age (you must be over 16) and playing experience.

The youngsters, managed by Andy Slaney and Jay Bateman, brought silverware back to the Weaver Stadium after winning the Under 15s South Cheshire Youth League and Cup.

Nantwich football development officer Steve Smithies said: “This is an incredible achievement in one season.

“It’s just reward for the amazing work that the players, parents and most importantly Andy and Jay have put in throughout the last few years.

“This of course bodes well for the future of the football club, which is incredibly important, as these things don’t happen overnight.

“It’s nice to see this success also being replicated by many of our other junior teams, which shows that the long term policies are working.”

(Picture courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)

‘Frosty’, who made over 200 appearances for Ashton under Johnson, is also new Dabbers club captain.

He is a player the Dabbers manager says “he knows and trusts”.

Johnson added: “I am absolutely delighted Alex has agreed to join me for the next stage of our football journey.

“Frosty is not only the most improved player I have worked with but he is the most consistent performers and I know exactly what I get week in week out.

“Not only that he is also one of the nicest lads you will wish to meet and I know he also leaves Ashton United with a very heavy heart.

“I can also confirm that Alex will be immediately installed as club captain.

“I said at the recent Meet The Manager Evening that I needed players that I know and trust, Alex falls right into that category.

“He is excited to be a Dabber and he is looking forward to meeting the supporters and helping me move the club forward. I am sure everyone at the club will join me in welcoming Alex to the Weaver Stadium.”

Meanwhile, the back room team has also been added to with the appointment of Phil Eastwood as new 1st team coach.

It follows the move to bring in 30-year-old ex Southport centre-half Earl Davis as assistant player manager.

“Phil is presently the technical youth development officer at Preston North End and has great knowledge of non league football as a player, coach and a manager,” added Johnson.

“Both Earl and I have known Phil for a long time and he is someone we can rely on and trust to support us as we look to turn around the fortunes at Nantwich Town.”

Eastwood played in the Conference with both Morecambe and Southport and for the likes of Stalybridge Celtic, Telford, Kettering Town, Hyde United (loan) and more recently player manager / coaching roles at Rossendale United and Bamber Bridge.

(Pictures courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)

The 30-year-old will be joining the Dabbers as both a player and as his new assistant manager for the 2013-14 season.

Davis, a former Southport centre half, says he is raring to go and looking forward to the challenge of the new season.

He said: “I hadn’t been to Nantwich Town before, but seeing the wonderful facilities and potential here and knowing Danny as I do and the plans he has, I didn’t have to think long about joining him in this exciting new venture.

“I’m looking forward to working with him to develop and manage the team.

“I’m also looking forward to playing in the Evo-Stik Premier Division and hopefully giving the supporters something to cheer about.”

Johnson said:  ”I am absolutely delighted that Earl Davis has accepted the offer to become my new Player / Assistant Manager.

“This is a massive coup for Nantwich Town Football Club and it has added to the excitement I already have for the new season.

“I have known Earl a long time and he brings with him a wealth of playing experience and the fact that he has won two Conference North titles as a player gives you some indication of the type of qualities he will bring to the club.

“I am sure all our supporters will join me in welcoming Earl to the Weaver Stadium.”

(Pic courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)

The exciting final at Crewe Alexandra’s training ground ended 4-4 after normal time.

And when five minutes of extra-time failed to separate the two teams, it went down to a tense penalty shoot-out.

Both sides converted their first two penalties before Lasers keeper pulled off a great save to put his team in the driving seat.

After another cool Lasers penalty, United missed their next leaving the Lasers fourth taker to seal the win, 4-2 on penalties.

The Lasers were presented the ASC U9s League Cup in front of their families.

A Nantwich Town spokesman: “Thanks must go to the ASC for organising the final at such a great venue, then to Cheshire Blades Utd for playing their part in a great match.

“Well done to the Lasers, it was a great end to a long and hard season. Everyone associated with the team are very proud.”

(picture courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)

The Dabbers won the club accolade at Steps 1-4 before the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

FA chairman David Bernstein presented Nantwich chairman Jon Gold with the award.

The Evo-Stik NPL was also awarded the league award as part of the special celebrations around the FA’s 150th birthday.

It’s the third time in the four seasons since the launch of the FA’s Respect campaign that Evo-Stik NPL has won the National League System Steps 1 to 4 Respect Award.

Nantwich Town were named club winners after they beat off rivals from the Ryman, Evo-Stik Southern and Football Conference to the coveted title.

Gold was joined at Wembley by the club’s football development officer and respect manager Steve Smithies, and he paid tribute to his work.

He said: “This is a terrific achievement for everyone involved in the club, particularly Steve Smithies who has done so much to ingrain the Respect philosophy throughout the club in all our youth teams.”

Nantwich Town were also named as runners-up to FC United of Manchester in the Jungledrum Fair Play Awards, taking the Premier Division’s honour for the season.

It means the Dabbers add a further £500 to the £4,000 they won for capturing the FA’s coveted title.

They will also share in a further £1250 with AFC Fylde, Blyth Spartans and Kendal Town as the clubs with the least dissent cautions in the division as part of the Evo-Stik NPL’s own dissent initiative.

“Obviously winning the FA’s National Respect Award is a magnificent achievement and a fabulous reward and recognition for all of the hard work our coaches, players and parents have put into upholding its values and policies,” Gold added.

“On behalf of everyone connected with the club, Steve and myself were extremely proud to collect this prestigious award and in addition to this, our excellent showing in the Leagues Fair Play Awards, demonstrates the overall depth these policies are being implemented throughout our club and we will be striving to continue this into and throughout next season.”

(Pic courtesy of Nantwich Town FC)

The Independent Supporters Association unveiled the system in the Whitby Morrison Ice Cream Van stand before the final home game of the season.

Jez Nicholls, of NTISA, said: “One of the of the key mantras of the NTISA was to work with the club to establish how we can improve the ‘NTFC match day experience.

“Following a meeting with the members and the club the tannoy system was identified as an area for improvement.

“We conducted many fundraising events, raffles, prediction competitions to name but a few.

“The biggest success was the quiz, not only raising a significant amount of funds but it was great fun, and the turnout was way above expectations.

“We were absolutely delighted to achieve our target. Work started a month earlier than our original target date.

“All in all it has been a huge success, our thanks go out to our amazing home supporters, local businesses that have generously helped us, away fans, and last but no means least the NTISA members who have donated a huge amount of time and effort.

“We are all very proud and it was great to hear the team announced loud and clear on Saturday afternoon, and we look forward to many more games to come.”

Nantwich Town chairman Jon Gold said: “NTISA have done an incredible job in organising and raising the funds for this and it will definitely improve the match day experience at the Weaver Stadium and everyone at the club is sincerely appreciative of their efforts and the great work that they are doing.”

Cllr Arthur Moran, a keen fan, said: “What a great job this supporters association has done.

“The group started from scratch just 12 months ago and now they’ve raised enough funds to provide this new system. Well done everyone!”

(NTISA members Rob Woods, Ian Garnett, Jez Nicholls and Arthur Moran, launching the new tannoy system – picture by Simon J Newbury Photography)

And the victory proved the perfect tribute to caretaker player-manager Darren Moss in his last game in charge.

Forward Harry Clayton slotted home at the near post on 37 minutes when Zac Foster took advantage of Blyth full-back Phil Airey’s loss in concentration to get to the byline and cross.

Airey thought the ball had gone out of play but failed to play to the whistle.

Massive Spartans striker Andy Jennings then won a penalty on 60 minutes when Dabbers goalkeeper Jon Brain went to ground at his feet, although there seemed little contact.

Airey took the penalty but Brain saved with his feet. However Jennings was on hand to power in the rebound just inside the box to make it 1-1.

Substitute Hudson then silenced the rowdy Blyth crowd when his attempted cross from 40 yards out evaded Airey in Blyth’s defence and beat stopper, Mark Cook, at his near post.

There was controversy on seven minutes when Cook handled a Josh Lane shot outside his box however referee, Joe Clark, only gave him a caution.

Strong wind played havoc all day and forced Nantwich striker Kyle Wilson’s attempted chip wide on 10 minutes.

Blyth’s back five dallying was a feature of the game and Wilson chased down Cook’s attempted clearance nearly poking in from an angle on 21.

Jennings was unsurprisingly a handful all game but he could only scuff wide on 44.

At 1-0 up the Dabbers strung together a few passes and Niall Maguire shot a cultured effort just over on 53.

Blyth would have equalised on 85 minutes had it not been for Nantwich captain Charles Raglan hooking away just when Jennings was ready to tap in an empty net.

Nantwich’s 2-1 lead never looked completely safe however Blyth’s insistence on giving the ball away meant they struggled to create chances from open play.

Victory means Nantwich finished in 14th place in the Evo-Stik Premier League, with 53 points from 42 games.

North Ferriby United are champions and gain automatic promotion on goal difference from Hednesford Town in a dramatic last day.

Eastwood Town and Kendal Town finish in the bottom two and face relegation.

(All pics by Simon J Newbury Photography)

Dabbers had levelled with seven minutes left, but the hosts hit back with a late late show of their own.

Buxton had taken an early lead on 19 minutes when tricky winger Sam Duncum arrived at the back post to tap in the opener from a Reed cross against the run of play.

It was a simple goal that would have frustrated a Dabbers side that might have already been three goals ahead.

Nantwich battled for an equaliser but the Bucks stood firm for the remainder of the first half, Marc Roberts a rock in their defence.

Tom Bentham was delighted to score his second ever Nantwich goal to make it 1-1 on 83 minutes after a wayward Joe Guest shot had deflected to his feet.

The men in green and white celebrated with their caretaker manager, Darren Moss, thanking him for his efforts in temporary charge.

But Buxton were given a dubious corner two minutes later which defender Ash Palmer volleyed in to make it 2-1.

And Reed, making his 400th appearance for Buxton, scored the host’s third from a penalty on 92 minutes after referee Thomas Bramall saw a Cole tug on the veteran striker.

Nantwich could have put the game beyond their hosts in the first 15 minutes had it not been for point-blank misses from Harry Clayton and Josh Lane who made his 50th club appearance.

Kyle Wilson also had opportunities to open the scoring for the Dabbers, testing the Buck’s Deakin with a shot and a header.

But it was not to be and Nantwich remain in 16th place in the Evo-Stik Premier with one game remaining at home to Blyth this Saturday May 4.

Nantwich XI: Brain Cole, Foster, Hughes, Raglan, Dicker, Wilson (Bentham 59), Maguire (Devenney 69), Lane (Everall 69), Clayton, Guest. Subs: Moss, Bailey

(pic by Simon J Newbury Photography)

Johnson was appointed as new Dabbers coach this week and will take the reins after Nantwich’s last game of the season against Blyth this weekend.

He beat 50 other applicants to the post, and believes the club is entering an “exciting new period”.

Johnson said: “I am honoured to have been appointed as the new Nantwich Town manager and I look forward to the challenge of taking the club into the Conference North in the future.

“This football club has the potential to move in that direction and matches my own personal ambition.

“Initially, we need to stabilise and ensure that we give ourselves the best chance of moving forward.

“I was in need of a fresh challenge and I have landed, in my opinion, one of the best jobs in non-league football.

“I am really looking forward to meeting the supporters, players and people connected with the club and getting started on this exciting new period and working together to bring more success to Nantwich Town.

“I have had six wonderful years as manager at Ashton United and I can’t thank everyone connected with the football club enough for what they have done for my family and myself.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I move on.”

The 37-year-old joins the Dabbers after their final home game against Blyth Spartans this Saturday.

Johnson has made a name for himself in non league circles firstly at Trafford and then for the last six years at fellow Evo-Stik Premier Division Club Ashton United.

Nantwich Chairman Jon Gold said: “We are thrilled that Danny has agreed to be our new manager as he was always someone we held in the greatest esteem due to his consistent achievements at Ashton United over a long period of time.

“He has the passion and all the qualities to build on our past successs and is someone who we firmly believe can introduce some stability and consistency to the club, whilst building a team that will take us forward in the Months and years to come.

“We had over 50 applicants for the position and the overall quality was very flattering, but Danny met all the requirements we advertised for in that he has a great knowledge of the non league system, its teams and players and a proven track record of success at this level and he shares our long term vision and strategy for sustainable success.

“He’s a talented young manager and passionate about Football and with his open and honest approach, I am sure he will soon become a big favourite of our supporters.

“I would also like to place on record our sincere thanks for the wonderful job that Darren Moss has done in care-taking the role recently.

“He has revitalised the club, its players and supporters when they needed it most and made our decision in appointing a manager more difficult.

“I am certain that he will go on to become an excellent manager in the future and hopefully this experience will have helped him immensely.”

And the 2-0 victory lifted the hosts above the Dabbers in the Evo-Stik Premier League.

The match felt like a friendly at times with little more than bragging rights and a higher finishing place in the division to play for.

On 14 minutes Nantwich defender Charlie Raglan scuffed an attempted clearance to Rangers’ midfielder Kinsella who found the sweet spot perfectly driving past Jon Brain from the edge of the Dabbers’ area.

Rangers fans’ favourite Turner made it 2-0 with a thunderous diving header on 67 minutes from a corner.

Dabbers forward Kyle Wilson showed confidence shooting from distance after a minute but was easily thwarted by Rangers keeper Adam Alcock.

Kinsella gave a glimpse of things to come as he fired over on five minutes.

There were optimistic appeals for a Rangers penalty on 11 minutes as Raglan challenged Jon Sheldon in the area.

Ex-Dabber Chris Flynn seemed to handle in his penalty area from a Joe Guest flick on 25 minutes but the referee waved the Nantwich protests away, gesturing to his head.

Caretaker player-manager Darren Moss sent his side out early for the second half and they looked motivated to turn things around.

Striker Tom Bentham, returning from a bad back, had the ball in the net on 50 minutes but the assistant referee had flagged for offside.

Aaron Cole gave a free-kick to Stafford to the right of Brain’s area on 59 minutes and received a yellow card but the set piece was wasted and easily cleared.

PJ Hudson shot wide of Alcock’s goal on 75 minutes and Guest could only find the redundant goalkeeper’s hands with a free-kick in the 79th.

The Dabbers never really showed signs of a comeback and the game’s slow tempo was to Stafford’s advantage until the final whistle.

Nantwich drop two places to 16th with two games to play away to Buxton on Wednesday night and home to Blyth Spartans next Saturday.