John Salmon is to take the chair of the football club when incumbent Mark Harris completes a 10 year tenure at the end of this season. John joined the board as a non-executive director in 2015 and has since acted as the club’s solicitor. During his time at the club to date, John has established a flourishing player pathway at Wincham Park, introducing Youth, Reserve and Development teams which has generated a number of players including Ronan Eves who last year became the youngest ever player to represent Witton Albion at first team level since 1940. “John has all the qualities required of a chairman” said Mark Harris. “He is a businessman and a football person; commercially astute and focussed on compliance. I am confident that he will take the club forward.”

Salmon is looking forward to the challenge ahead. “Witton Albion is a fantastic club and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead it” he said. John’s new-look board will feature a combination of new and existing talent, whilst outgoing chairman Harris has agreed to stay on as a director for a limited period to help his successor settle into the hot seat.

Witton Albion has also announced that Northwich Victoria will be playing all home fixtures at Wincham Park from next season. The two clubs have agreed a two-year partnership which will also see Wincham Park stage six social functions and Northwich Victoria providing additional volunteers to prepare and maintain the playing and training pitches at Witton.

“It is no secret that we have been exploring ground share opportunities with prospective partners for next season and beyond” said Albion chairman Mark Harris. “In today’s semi-professional game groundshares make good business sense. They are a source of total revenue, not only in match fees but in bar revenues too. We are delighted to have agreed terms with Vics and we look forward to working in partnership with them.”

Albion have been hosting 1874 Northwich games this season and Mark did not rule out hosting further games in the future. “We have developed an excellent working relationship with 1874 and hosting their games has helped both parties and we would do the same again subject to wear and tear on the Wincham Park pitch.”

Northwich Victoria chairman Brian Turner was delighted to have secured a return to Wincham after spending one season at Barnton. “I’d like to thank Mark Harris and the Witton Board in agreeing to this two year partnership deal along with the prospect of an extension. I would also offer my sincere thanks to Barnton Football Club for allowing us to ground share at the Townfield ground during the last 12 months and wish them well in the future.” Turner confirmed that Vics will be making a number of further announcements during the coming weeks.

The groundshare will mean that four teams will play fixtures at Wincham Park from next season, the Witton and Vics first teams plus the two Witton academy teams that play on Wednesday afternoons. “Whilst every club wants to preserve as good a playing surface as possible, commercial realities dictate that – as our greatest asset – the stadium is used to bring in more income” said Mark Harris. “Each of these teams brings a clear stream of income at a time when attendances are falling across non-league football. Clubs have to look to other revenue sources to make ends meet. Witton Albion is no different and whilst 60 games a season is a lot compared to some, it will mean that the role our groundstaff play will become ever more important.”