Vauxhall Motors F.C.

Did You Know?

• The club defeated Queens Park Rangers in their first ever FA Cup first round appearance.
• Vauxhall Motors was one of only four founder members to remain in Conference North for its first ten seasons.
• The 2022–23 season saw the Motormen win the Premier Division championship and earn promotion to Division One West of the Northern Premier League.

History

Vauxhall Motors F.C. came into being in 1963, not long after the Vauxhall Motors Car Plant opened in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The team began in local leagues like the Ellesmere Port League and the Wirral Combination, but quickly outgrew them. By 1970, a string of promotions had taken the club to Hooton Park, a ground owned by the company. In 1987, the club moved into its own home, Rivacre Park, which it still uses today.

That opening was a big deal: England manager Bobby Robson brought along several former international stars for the match. On the field, the club won its first West Cheshire League title in 1985–86, then lifted the Cheshire Amateur Cup and the Wirral Senior Cup. Those results earned the club a place in the North West Counties League for 1987–88. In its second season there, Vauxhall Motors easily won the Second Division, and by 1989–90 it finished fourth in the First Division.

The next year, people expected a title challenge, but the team came fifth instead—though it did win the North West Counties League Cup, beating Darwen 2–0. After that fifth-place finish, the board decided to drop back down to the West Cheshire League. The club finished third in each of the next two seasons. Then, in 1994–95, Vauxhall Motors won both divisions of that league, a feat only two other clubs had managed in the league’s 103-year history.

That success led to a return to the North West Counties League. Again, the club stormed the Second Division, but Division One proved tougher, though the team did reach the Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final. It kept playing in Division One and made the NWCL Cup final, losing narrowly to Kidsgrove Athletic. The 1998–99 season was the best yet: the club reached the fifth round of the FA Vase, finished third in the league (its highest ever position), and won the NWCL Cup.

The following season was even better. Vauxhall Motors got to the FA Vase semi-finals and won the NWCL title, earning promotion to Division One of the Northern Premier League. The reserves also had a strong year, picking up several smaller trophies.

Stadium

Vauxhall Motors have played at Rivacre Park since 1986, having previously been based at Hooton Park. The ground holds 3,300 people, with a covered stand and terracing that includes 350 seats. The stand has been given new seats, and a step was added to the terrace at the golf course end. Improvements also include a new toilet block, a disabled toilet, and a new turnstile block. Extra barriers were installed on the covered terrace to raise capacity, and the club shop reopened after storm damage to its roof. The site features a large sports and social club, originally built for Vauxhall plant employees but now open to the public on match days. Starting with the 2026/27 season, the stadium will be renamed the Premier Jet Stadium under a new naming rights deal.

Notable players

Several players have gone on to play in the Football League, including Gregg Blundell – formerly with Doncaster Rovers and currently physiotherapist at Liverpool; Danny Collins – formerly with Sunderland, Stoke City, Rotherham United, Nottingham Forest and Grimsby Town; Mark Duffy – formerly with Doncaster Rovers, Scunthorpe United, Morecambe F.C., Birmingham City and Fleetwood Town F.C.; Steve McNulty – formerly with Fleetwood Town, Tranmere Rovers, Luton Town and Witton Albion; Mark Roberts – formerly with Crewe Alexandra, Stevenage, Fleetwood Town and Cambridge United, retired from Warrington Town in 2022; Paul Taylor – formerly with Peterborough United and Stevenage; Ben Tollitt – formerly with Portsmouth and currently playing at AFC Fylde; Lloyd Saxton – spent youth career in Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers, Stoke City, turned professional in 2006, joined Plymouth Argyle and Bradford City, moved to Swedish football in 2012, played for Ange IF and later GIF Sundsvall; Cole Stockton – formerly with Hearts; and Paul Mullin – player for EFL League One club Bradford City.