Northwich Victoria are pleased to announce Steve Wilkes as the Football Club's first team new manager. Steve will take the reins for the first time in our game on Saturday - NWCFL Premier Division fixture Vs Maine Rd (A) Sat 30 Sept - K.O 15:00.

Wilkes managed Padiham to NWCL Premier Division title success in 2013, and resigned as Storks' boss at the end of August this year.
In two spells there, the former Preston midfielder managed around 500 games over the course of a decade with the club. Steve has also had spells with AFC Darwen, Runcorn Linnets and Ashton Athletic; he first joined the Storks in 2004 when they were in the extreme lower reaches of the non-league pyramid.
Wilkes enjoyed four seasons at Well Street and, following periods managing elsewhere, he returned for the 2012/13 season which proved to be the most successful of his managerial career, working with a small budget - Padiham were promoted to the Evo-Stik First Division North escaped relegation in their first season at that level ending it in nineteenth position.

PROFILE -
Steve Wilkes. Age - 50.

Playing career -
Played for Wigan Athletic:
1983-85 as an apprentice and
1985-86 Professional.
Played for Preston North End:
1986-1988 Professional.
Southport 1988-89.
Morecambe 1989 until 1st October when I had a car crash breaking my right femur and didn't play again until Bamber Bridge 1991-1994 and
Darwen 1994-1997.

Managerial Career:
Darwen 1997-2004.
Padiham 2004 - Jan 2008.
Runcorn Linnets from Jan 2008-Sept 2010.
Ashton Athletic 2011-2012.
Padiham 2012 - Aug 2017 winning the North West Counties Premier Division title in 2012-13.

Steve interviewed upon his arrival at the Vics' by Jamie Dewsbury.

Welcome to the Club, Steve. A big challenge for you & your management team in taking this job. What is your aim this season?
Stability seems the immediate target, with the Club new to this level of football.

Thanks Jamie - Yes I would say the aim this season is to stabilise the football club. I think it's highly unlikely that we can win the league from the position we're in, but we'll be striving to win as many games as possible. We're still in 3 cup competitions, so hopefully we can progress in these and who knows, try and win some silverware come next May.

Winning the title in 2012/13 was a massive achievement for a small club like Padiham. That season I only used 27 players, which is remarkable when you think about how many players move from club to club at this level. We only had a small budget, but we had the best dressing room in the league, which I think is so important at this level.

You bring a wealth of experience to the Vics' for this level, having coached Padiham to the title in 2013. Tell us a bit about that and your management team, Assistant Steve Pickup and coach, Andy Payton.

My coaching staff:
Steve Pickup has played and been my assistant for nearly 20 years, on and off and brings a wealth of experience at this level. Steve's been my assistant for the past 3 and a half years. He's very good at what he does, many a time we disagree, but that's what I like about Steve - he's not just a yes man. The game this Saturday will be my 912th as a Manager.
Andy Payton - my first team coach, his CV is unreal to read. Andy's played over 530 football league games and scored over 200 goals for Burnley, Celtic, Hull, Middlesbrough and Barnsley to name a few. He's just got his UEFA B coaching licence and has just finished his UEFA A badge.

PROFILE -
FIRST TEAM COACH -
Andy Payton
Age: 49
Clubs played for:
Hull City
Middlesbrough
Celtic
Barnsley
Huddersfield
Burnley
500 games 230 goals as a professional footballer
Adidas Golden boot winner at Burnley FC 27 league goals

Qualifications:
UEFA B qualified coach
Recently completed the UEFA A license course
Youth modules 1 and 2

Experience:
Academy coach at Accrington Stanley
Burnley college football academy coach
First team coach Padiham FC.

PROFILE -
ASSISTANT MANAGER -
Steve Pickup. Age - 40.

Clubs Played For: Burnley FC,
Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Wigan Athletic, Accrington Stanley,Kidsgrove Ath, Runcorn Linnets, Padiham FC ,Colne.

COACHING AND MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE -
Former First Team Manager Colne FC.
Former Assistant Manager Padiham FC.

Article & interview by Jamie Dewsbury.