Rangers get ready to host Northwich

Stafford Rangers' will throw open their doors to Northwich Victoria on Saturday after their new tenants were forced to honour their agreement to groundshare.

With Rangers at Kendal in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League on the opening day, Marston Road stages Northwich's home game with Stamford.

The Vics and owner Jim Rushe have run out of time to reach a solution with the Football Association and the Evo-Stik NPL before the big kick-off.

It all stems from the club being without a permanent home since they were evicted from the Victoria Ground in January, later asking Rangers for help.

They had to have a groundshare for the following season in place by March 31 or be kicked out of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

Rangers stepped in at the 11th hour but the league still expelled them from their pyramid, for failing to comply to a Company Voluntary Agreement.

After appealing to the FA, Northwich were reinstated but only to Division One South, a demotion of one division, which starts on Saturday.

But Rangers have moved to insist they will take steps to ensure it will have no bearing on their own campaign.

A club statement said: "We would like to confirm, as 'landlords,' Stafford Rangers home games will, of course, take full priority.

"The Northwich schedule will fit around our fixtures. On match days, official representatives and volunteers from Stafford Rangers FC will be present.

"We can ensure that this business decision has been finalised with the best interest of Stafford Rangers FC and to help a fellow club.

"Every effort has been made to eliminate or reduce any impact on first-team football or to the fans of Stafford Rangers FC."