LOCAL fans of Manchester City believe they’re the salt of the earth.

The timeless phrase is due to feature on a flag set to be created by the growing, fledgling Mid Cheshire branch of the Manchester City FC Supporters Club.

The branch holds meetings in Northwich and Winsford, and was delighted to sign up 20 members at its latest meeting, which was held at The Penny Black pub in Witton Street, Northwich.

The new members have taken the membership total to 50, and a supporter who signed up at the Northwich meeting took 10 registration sheets with him, raising the likelihood of even more people joining.

“It was a really well-attended meeting, with 21 people, and 10 people offered their apologies as they could not make it,” said branch secretary Alan Oakes.

“One of the people who attended the meeting was a woman from Northwich whose great uncle, David Ashworth, managed Manchester City in the 1920s.

“We are planning to have an official branch flag bearing the name of the branch followed by the phrase – the salt of the earth – to reflect Mid-Cheshire’s links with the salt industry.

“We had 31 people at the first meeting, and it would be absolutely wonderful if we could have about 75 branch members.

“We are also looking to raise money for a local charity.”

The next meeting of the branch is due to take place on Thursday, June 11 at The Old Star in Winsford at 8pm.

Everyone is welcome to come along, including children.

The club meets every month, and branch subscriptions are £10 for people aged 16 and over, £2 for pensioners and free for under 16s.

The branch chairman is Chris Dilworth from Northwich, the secretary is Alan Oakes from Winsford and the treasurer is Daniel Jennings from Winsford.

For more information visit the branch’s Facebook page – facebook.com/midcheshiremanchestercitysupportersclub, or email oakie@fsmail.net (no full stop).

David Ashworth managed six clubs between 1906 and 1927, including Liverpool and Oldham Athletic, being in charge at the latter for eight years, and managed Manchester City during the 1924-25 season, winning 20 of 56 games.