IT'S not been a happy season for Northwich Victoria or their long surrfering fans, but at least they are back home after being looked out of their ground and having to play something like six straight away matches - although there was a 'home' fixture with Histon hosted by Altrincham!
Club officials are getting the stadium back into some sort of order after a chaotic period which finally saw them allowed back inside the ground just in time to face Kettering Town on 24 February - two homes after the last BSP match staged in Northwich.
Just about overlapping that period was the reign of Steve King, the former Lewes boss, who then dramatically quit the Vics and returned south, with most of the players he had signed during the interim.
Former Wrexham striker Andy Preece was asked to help out inthe short term and he moved to shore up the Vics' backline on Friday by tempting Danny Meadowcroft back to the Marston's Arena.
The defender went straight into the side that lost 4-1 at Cambridge United on Saturday to cover during skipper Simon Grand's two-game suspension.
"It's a good addition for us," Preece told the Northwich Guardian.
"Danny is a proven performer at this level and played his part in helping keep Northwich in the Blue Square Premier at the end of last season."
Meadowcroft joined from UniBond Division One North promotion hopefuls FC Halifax Town, having scored for the Shaymen in their draw with title rivals Durham last weekend, a game in which he also dislocated his shoulder.
He also skippered the Shaymen this term, making 24 starts after switching from Blue Square North outfit Droylsden - the club he joined after leaving the Vics in the summer.
Vics also completed the loan signing of Luke Joyce last Thursday, with the Carlisle United midfielder at the Marston's Arena for an initial month.
"It's one of those moves that helps all parties concerned as it gives Luke some first team football while assisting Andy Preece with the difficult job he has on his hands at the moment," said United manager Greg Abbott.
Joyce, 21, made nine appearances for the Cumbrians this season before spending five weeks with Vics' Blue Square Premier rivals Barrow at the end of last year.
Out of contract in the summer, he hopes an impressive end to the season will secure his future with the League One outfit.
Another new arrival has been former Wrexham man Jeff Whitley, who signed from Manchester club Woodley Sports.
"I'm sure he can come in and do a job for us," said Preece.
"We are short of cover in midfield, so hopefully Jeff will slot in there."
Meanwhile, leaving Cheshire is England 'C' international Jamie Stevens, hailed by former manager Steve King as his best signing during his three-month tenure, who will now play at Ebbsfleet on loan until the end of the season.
"We couldn't stand in his way," said caretaker manager Preece.
"It's a fair trip for him to come here from Peterborough everyday and with the well-documented situation at the club, he felt it was right to play his football somewhere else at this moment in time."
Also using the exit door has been speedy winger Dean Lodge, who has dropped down two levels to re-sign for former club Kingstonian.
Another of King's recruits, full back Jay Conroy, has signed for Blue Square South table-toppers AFC Wimbledon, while former skipper Steve Robinson returned to Chelmsford last week.
Preece began his tenure as caretaker manager by guiding the Blue Square Premier strugglers to two clean sheets in three games, but Northwich then failed to score in fourth consecutive games following their impressive victory at Kidderminster last month.
At the Abbey Stadium on Saturday, he was forced to shuffle his pack once again as skipper Simon Grand started a two-match ban, while Damian Reeves returned to Farsley Celtic.
Jonny Allan returned to partner loanee Kyle Perry in attack, while newcomers ex-Red Jeff Whitley and Luke Joyce started in midfield. Carlisle midfielder Joyce broke the goal drought on his debut, but it was all in vain and Cambridge scored their third of the afternoon, just seconds later.
An early injury to another Racecourse favourite in Matty Crowell, saw the Welshmen limp out of the action after just 28 minutes and he is very doubtful for tomorrow night's game.
Jamie Stevens' switch to Ebbsfleet United on Friday left Danny Meadowcroft to partner Mat Bailey at the heart of the backline, while striker Darryn Stamp was another suspended.
Vics: Ryan Clarke, Danny Meadowcroft, Michael Aspin, Matthew Bailey, Ryan Brown, Matt Crowell, Luke Joyce, Lee Elam, Jeff Whitley, Johnny Allan, Kyle Perry.
Subs: Joel Byrom, Jamie Mullan, Aaron Burns, Luke Horrocks, Paul Barratt.
Meanwhile, former Vics boss King has been fined and banned for abusing a referee. He will have to serve a six-match touchline job when he secures his next job after his dismissal from the dugout during his side's hammering at Eastbourne Borough in December.
An FA disciplinary committee doled out the punishment after claiming the ex-Lewes manager failed to respond to their charge. In addition, King will also pay £300 for improper conduct.
Assistant Justin Skinner has been hit with a £150 fine and a three-match suspension from the sidelines for the way he spoke to officials at the same game.
Vics lost 4-1, with two players seeing red on an afternoon to forget at Priory Lane.
King and Skinner were officially charged on December 19 but, after growing tired of waiting to see if the duo wished to appeal, the English game's governing body has acted.
