Vauxhall Motors

History

Vauxhall Motors, founded in 1963 in Ellesmere Port, rapidly progressed through local leagues in its early years. By the end of the 1960s, they were playing in the West Cheshire League Division One. The 1980s saw significant developments, including the acquisition of land for a new ground, Rivacre Park, which opened in 1987. The club experienced success in the late 1980s, winning the West Cheshire League and joining the North West Counties League. However, they withdrew from the North West Counties League in the early 1990s to focus on the West Cheshire League, where they achieved notable success.

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of remarkable achievements under new management. Alvin McDonald led the team to impressive league performances, cup successes, and a notable run in the F.A. Carlsberg Vase. The club’s ascent continued as they joined the Unibond League, quickly earning promotions and achieving high league standings. Their remarkable journey included a famous F.A. Cup victory over QPR and a strong finish in the Conference North. However, managerial changes occurred in the mid-2000s, with Carl Macauley taking over and maintaining the club’s competitive edge, despite a brief departure.

In recent years, financial challenges led to Vauxhall Motors’ resignation from the Conference North in 2014, returning to the West Cheshire League. Under new management, the club continued to perform well, rejoining the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) and achieving promotion. Mick McGraa, a former player, took over as manager and led the team to further success, including a strong run interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022/23 season, the club triumphed in the NWCFL Premier Division, earning promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One West.