The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Witton Albion’s programme has taken top spot in Non-League’s annual programme awards.

Witton fans were treated to the best programmes in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North during the club’s promotion season, say organisers of the annual Soccer Club Swap Shop awards.

The Northwich Guardian’s website reports that judges voted the ‘Albion Review’ a must-see on matchdays at the Help for Heroes Stadium.

Witton Albion’s programmes were also rated third among the 66 Evo-Stik Northern Premier League clubs.

“A programme is a major part of a fan’s match day experience,” said Phil Watkins, a judge for a competition that has run for each year for close to two decades.

“It is the first contact a supporters has with a club after paying at the turnstile, so a good one can often persuade that person to spend more money during their visit.”

Albion Review was edited last term by Jamie Thompson, a friend and work colleague of first team manager Brian Pritchard. Like the boss, he was a first timer in the role.

Thompson said: “It’s a fantastic achievement and one we should be proud of. I’d like to thank all the contributors; this is a prize that recognises their efforts."

It’s been a week of good news for the Wincham Park club after the club’s new sponsor revealed that Witton's commitment to improving young footballers was one of the key reasons for partnering the club along with April’s promotion to the Evo-Stik NPL’s top tier.

Online retailer Sock Shop Ltd was unveiled as the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit’s main backer for the coming campaign and the company’s logo will appear on the first team’s shirts.

James Mather, sales director for Sock Shop, said: “We liked the club’s thriving junior structure with teams from under 8s upwards. The club’s soccer school sessions at Sir John Deane’s College each weekend impressed us too, proving the club’s main aim of fostering youth development through football.”

Mather believes Witton is a club on the up following the team’s promotion via the play-offs and hopes the firm’s help will help Brian Pritchard’s men record another successful season.

“We’re happy to support the club financially at this economically challenging time,” explained Mather. “The first team has regained its Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division status and we’re keen to offer more than putting our brand on the shirt by assisting behind the scenes.”