Squires Gate vs West Didsbury Chorlton

We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support. It is very much appreciated. Enjoy the match!

CLUB DIRECTORY

President: Brian Addison

Club Secretary: John Maguire

Committee: Brian Addison, Steve

Bellamy, Ian Moore, Micky Farrer, John Maguire

Head of Media: James Ashton

Social Media Manager: Dan Hayden

Club Photographer: Ian Moore

Media Officer: Jay Hayden

Media Assistant: George Moore

KIT SPONSORS

Shirt Sponsors: Central Insurance, Open Recruitment,

Taylors Fish & Chips, Global Football Network, Short Sponsor: Marsden Plastering

CLUB MANAGEMENT

Manager: Luke Evans

Assistant Manager: Andy Baker

First Team Coach : Liam Robinson

Club Physio: Rhys Daly

U23’S Manager: Josh Strachan

Good afternoon and welcome to The Brian Addison Stadium for today’s game against West Didsbury & Chorlton.

For today’s game, we welcome the Gate legend himself, Albert Cooper, who is sponsoring the game with his Grandson Matt. We also welcome Nathan Cliffe’s nephew, Rory Wood who will be walking out with our number 10 today.

With just 3 programmes left after today, we would like to thank you for continuing to buy our programme and we’d love to win the NWCFL programme of the year award as well as maintaining the non league bible award.

Enjoy the game!

TALK OF THE GATE

Editors; James Ashton

Dan Hayden

Jay Hayden

Front Cover: Chris Stewart

@kitforbrains

Printing: Moulton Printing

CLUB CONTACT

Website: www.squiresgatefc.co.uk

Twitter: @squiresgatefc

Instagram: @squiresgatefc

Email: squiresgatefc@hotmail.com

Hello everyone and welcome to this afternoon’s NWCFL Premier Division match between Squires Gate and West Didsbury & Chorlton.

A warm welcome to our visitors from Manchester, as well of course as our loyal home supporters.

We come into the game a week after our last match. It’s been good to have a couple of training sessions in the week for a change, and it’s been really useful for us.

Last week’s defeat to Litherland REMYCA was disappointing.

Despite some good chances, we shot ourselves in the foot with two defensive errors to lose the game 2-0. To see us making mistakes in the vital areas is frustrating as always, but we’ll be looking to put that right today.

THE

Our visitors come to us today in decent form, as they sit 8th in the table following their promotion last season.

They’ve been a strong addition to the league and it’s yet another tough test for us. We drew 1-1 at their place back in November thanks to a Ryan Riley free kick, it was a good point and hopefully we can go one better this afternoon and get all three points.

Thank you as ever for all your support, we all massively appreciate it.

I hope you enjoy your day with us at The Brian Addison Stadium!

Gaffer #WeAreGate

LUKE EVANS

Q&A NATHAN CLIFFE

Cliffy! You’re our ‘Cover Star’ for today’s programme! Are you looking forward to the match?

Yes, looking forward to the game and I’m sure it will be a good one. A big 3 points needed for us and I'm sure we can do the job to get them.

We face a tricky test in West Didsbury & Chorlton this afternoon, what are you expecting from our visitors?

I’m expecting West Didsbury & Chorlton to come out and let us have the ball and then try counter our attacks like they did at their ground.

You joined over the summer and have been an excellent addition to the club both on and off the pitch - how have you settled in and enjoyed your time at Gate so far?

I’m really enjoying it at Gate at the moment as are the rest of the players, a great bunch of lads both on and off the pitch. I think this squad will only get better and better over time, a team to keep an eye out for.

Sitting around mid table and a couple of decent cup runs too,

with lots of positives to take from the campaign so far - are you happy with how the season’s gone for the team?

So far this season has been full of ups and downs but enjoying it, nothing comes as a shock in this league.

As well all know there is always room for improvements and all the lads want to get the best out each other to reach the best finishing place in the league we can.

At the time of writing you’ve hit 19 goals so far this season as well as some vital assists too, are you happy with your own performances so far?

I am happy with my performances so far this season, some good goals and assists but it’s all about the team and to score a goal or set up a goal for another player is more important as it’s for the team and 3 points is all that matters at the end of the 90 minutes .

We have to talk about THAT goal against FC Isle Of Man, just talk us through it from your point of view. One of your best yet?

I can’t lie one of the lads mentioned it to me that the keeper is off his line at kick off, when Webby closed the lad down and we won the ball, my first thought was look for a forward run or to drive with the ball.

As I looked up I saw their keeper of his line and went for it and luckily for me it flew into the top corner.

For sure that has to be one of the best goals I’ve scored if not the best just because of how big of a game it was and an important 3 points for Gate.

Squires Gate have a growing fan base, as well as a strong social media presence. Has the support this season both at matches and online given the squad a boost? Yes the support from all the fans is massive for the boys on and off the pitch. We appreciate everyone who comes down to watch us at home and for the fans who come every game home and away I don’t think the lads could be more appreciative of the fans.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALAN!

We would like to wish Gate season ticket holder, Alan Davis a very happy birthday.

Alan has been a season ticket holder for over 5 years now and has adopted Squires Gate as his local non-league side as well as supporting Premier League sideWolverhamptonWanderers.

He can usually be seen wearing his green jacket and sat in the main stand, and always reserves a copy of our popular matchday magazine.

Everyone at Squires Gate would also like to send our sincere condolences as Alan’s Dad passed away prior to our game against Litherland REMYCA.

We would like to thank Alan for his continued support towards the club, and he has become a huge part of the Squires Gate community.

An exclusive look behind the scenes of your favourite non-league club!

TODAY’S MASCOT

We would like to welcome Nathan Cliffe’s nephew, Rory Wood to today’s game as well as his auntie and uncle who will also be visiting The Brian Addison Stadium.

Rory will be waking out with Nathan before the game.

We hope he enjoys his visit and would like to thank him for his support today.

If you would like to feature in our matchday programme; whether you have an occasion to celebrate or if you would like to have a shoutout, please get in touch with us at @squiresgatefc or @TotG_SG .

KIERAN JONES

Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, snack & drink)

Morrisons spicy chicken baguette, salt and vinegar squares and orange Lucozade. Your go to Maccies order?

Sweet chilli chicken wrap meal (crispy), mayo chicken with cheese.

You can listen to one album on repeat. Which do you pick?

Jamie Webster- weekend in paradise

Who would be in your all-time Gate 5-a-side?

Nathan Pennington, me, Rowan Chambers, nerf bullet and Callum Sandle,

Which movie can you quote by road to nowhere

Roll/Cob/Barm etc What do you call it?

Butty!

If all the lads were on Love Island, who would win?

Me (the best looking) obviously Do you have an embarrassing

Once was ball boy at PNE. I went to kick ball back to the goal keeper and slipped on my bum.

Worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Money doesn’t make happiness

Worst dresser at the club?

Josh Westwood (isle of man wear)

It was the hosts who threatened first, with Pennington forced into a clever rebound save from close range after spilling an initial effort from the edge of the area. Gate created their first chance on 11 minutes, with a sublime outside of the foot pass from Nathan Cliffe sending Callum Sandle in behind, but the striker fired wide from a tight angle. Sandle had another half chance just a few minutes later, hitting an acrobatic effort off target from the edge of the box after a low ball from Ryan Riley.

Ashton threatened the Gate area on 22 minutes, with a dangerous low ball from the right only needing a touch, but Gate were in luck as the ball went all the way through without one. Ryan Moore went into the book on 27 minutes, before the midfielder created a good chance for Theo Ball, but after being slid into a good area, Ball dragged his effort well wide.

REPLAY

to go down to 10-men just five minutes into the second half, after Ryan Moore, who was already on a booking, committed a needless foul on the halfway line. Despite appeals from the Ashton players though, the referee only cautioned Moore. The first chance of the half fell Gate’s way, with Isaac Abankwah doing well to come forward from left-back and feed Sandle into the area, but his low effort was kept out by the feet of the Ashton goalkeeper. Gate then went even closer to an opener just two minutes later. Theo Ball managed to latch onto a bouncing ball in behind, with his initial effort saved into the path of Cliffe on the edge of the box, but his low effort was cleared off the line and the hosts scrambled clear.

Gate won a penalty though on 80 minutes, with Rowan Chambers doing brilliantly to drive forward and combine with a couple of Gate players before being tripped in the area. Dan Gray stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to give Gate the lead with just 9 minutes to play.

1. PENNINGTON

2. GRAY

3. ABANKWAH

4. MOORE

5. WELSH

6. BARTRAM

7. RILEY

8. C. WEBSTER ©

9. BALL

10. CLIFFE

11. SANDLE

SQUIRES GATE 0 2 LITHERLAND REMYCA

Words by James Ashton

It was the visitors who looked to start the brighter of the two sides, with a few early efforts fired off target.

They missed a big chance on 17 minutes, shooting over the bar after Gate gave the ball away in defence.

Sandle had Gate’s first chance of the match on 22 minutes but after being found in lots of space in the area by Moore, the striker took too long to get his shot away and was dispossessed at the vital moment.

Cliffe hit a volley off target, before a Harrison Webster free kick deflected behind for a corner which was well defended.

Sandle had a big chance at the start of the second half for Gate, slid into the area by Moore but his low effort was saved by the feet of the Remy keeper.

Litherland took the lead on 54 minutes though, with a free kick delivery landing to Denson with a free header who knocked past Pennington from close range.

Gate went close to an equaliser three times in the space of 8 minutes, with Theo Ball hitting the post, then Gal Pett and Ball both having efforts from close range cleared off the line.

Remy doubled their lead against the run of play, capitalising on a defensive error to seal the win.

Squires Gate 0-0 Litherland REMYCA

1.PENNIGNTON

2. GRAY

3. H. WEBSTER

4. CHAMBERS

5. WELSH

6. WESTWOOD ©

7. MOORE

8. C. WEBSTER

9. BALL

10. CLIFFE

11. SANDLE

FIXTURES & RESULTS // 2022-2023

WEST DIDSBURY

LAST SEASON

First Division South: 1st

FA Cup: Extra Preliminary Round

FA Vase: 2nd Qualifying Round

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WEST

West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. in 1908, over 100 years ago, by Mr. R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury.

A further name change followed in 2003 to reflect the new location in Chorlton and the club was then elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 West won its first Manchester League silverware lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of the club’s centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season 2008/09 West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final. With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, 2009/10 was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield (the third consecutive year in the final) and was league runners -up. The reserves won the Bridgewater League Cup and the U17 Youth team won their League.

In 2010/2011 the 1st team won the Manchester League First Division title in style with a fantastic 65 points out of 72 possible. This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in Manchester League history dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, also resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final.

Plans were made to lease adjacent land long term for junior football to deliver the club Vision to be a FA Charter Standard Club, playing at the highest possible level it can whilst remaining financially viable.

Floodlights were erected in July 2011 to meet FA requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-12 as a Step 7 club. Election to the Step 6 and the NWCFL followed in June 2012 and the club had an incredible first season finishing in 3rd 2013-14 saw a strong recovery from a series of early season setbacks and

defeats in August to consolidate with a very creditable 12th place league finish in the Premier Division. Two new stands were then installed to improve spectator facilities and the new grass pitches were laid out on adjoining land as part of the long term development plan.

2015-16 proved to be a record breaking season in a number of ways for West. After a slightly erratic start to the season under new manager Steve Settle, a series of good results from September onwards saw the club rise up the table eventually finishing in a record 5th place. Progression was also made off the field with new facilities at Hardy Farm opened by local MP Jeff Smith. Plans were also made to expand the clubhouse and spectator facilities at Brookburn Road.

This season West currently sit in the top half after promotion from the 1st Division South last season, and are into the quarter finals of the FA Vase.

THE WEST: SIXTY SECOND GUIDE

MENDES GOMES

Current Fleetwood Town star, Carlos Mendes Gomes featured forWest Didsbury & Chorlton.

FA VASE

West Didsbury & Chorlton are into the last 8 of the FA Vase, and will face Ascot United.

MEDIA MEMOIRS

ETIHAD STADIUM

The closest FL ground to Brookburn Road is the Etihad Stadium.

BROOKBURN R AD

Words from Gibbos 92 blog

West Didsbury 0-1 Curzon Ashton

Pre season had been a blast so far. Having seen the likes of Club Brugge, Hearts, Dinamo Bucharest and Otelul Galati in the last few days, we had arrived back in normality. On Saturday we visited Abbey Hey as they welcomed Curzon Ashton to Gorton. Keen to carry on the Curzon Ashton theme, we were off to West Didsbury & Chorlton to see them take on the team from Tameside.

Joe, Aaron and I had agreed to evenly watch our respective teams during pre season. With a trip to Anglesey to watch my team (Atherton Collieries) on Saturday, it was only fair that I joined them at ANOTHER Curzon Ashton match.

I was still feeling rather down after events on the final day of last season. It was between Atherton Collieries and West Didsbury as to who claimed the final promotion place. If we managed to beat Ashton Town at home, and Irlam prevented West Didsbury from winning, then Colls would be promoted.

Colls were winning 4-0 and hoping that Irlam could do us a favour. Going into the final minute, Irlam were holding West Didsbury to a 2-2 draw. Colls were up. We were promoted. All of the hard work had paid off at last! Dare we dream? No. West Didsbury scored a goal in the last minute of extra time to hand them promotion. I was the one who had to break the news to the Colls players. A moment which I still haven’t recovered from. With all of this in mind, I didn’t know whether I could handle a trip to Chorlton just yet.

Nevertheless, Aaron picked me up from home at 18:00 and we slowly made our way to Chorlton. I wasn’t too sure where Chorlton was to be honest. I had guessed it was up past Sale Water Park, but that was as far as it went. As we neared the end of our journey we

Stretford very well as my Dad was brought up on Kings Road. I reminisced about visits to my Nana’s and Grandad’s house on Kings Road when I was younger; playing football in the garden with metrolink trams rattling past was one of my favourites.

Believe it or not, my Dad and Grandad aren’t the most famous people to have lived on Kings Road. The king himself, Morrissey grew up just a few doors down from my Dad. Dennis Violet, Tommy Taylor and Duncan Edwards all lived in and around Kings Road.

So what did Chorlton have to offer in response to that? Not much. A small unknown band called The Bee Gees did live a couple of minutes away from the ground in Chorlton until they moved to Australia in 1958. Bit disappointing really.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I saw a sign saying “Brookburn Road”. We didn’t want a repeat performance of the car nearly rolling over at Wilmslow on Thursday, so Aaron opted to carry on driving before executing a dodgy manoeuvre on somebodies driveway.

find the ground. We were on Brookburn Road, but it was nowhere to be seen. Had I foolishly programmed in the wrong place on the GPS? Had the football ground disappeared off the face of the Earth? This had to be the most tucked away ground I had visited.

At the very bottom of the road we saw a small sign perched on a neighbouring fence panel which pointed to the ground. Aaron didn’t know whether his car would make it back up the slight hill which leads down to the ground. Regardless we drove down this mysterious and magical pathway, to the deep abyss which is Brookburn Road.

The entrance to the ground itself is constructed out of a temporary mesh metal fence, with a garden shed used as a turnstile. Complete of course with a resident gate man. He was very welcoming and polite, but didn’t seem convinced when I told him I was given free admission for the evening. Rob, who helps out at the club had been to Atherton Collieries v AFC Liverpool with me the evening before. He had pleaded with me to visit West Didsbury for months, so when he offered me free admission I couldn’t say no. There was one condition though. I had to be photographer for the evening.

It felt a bit like trying to persuade my Mum that it wasn’t me who had left the bath mat in the shower. Eventually though he believed me and let me in. I bought a matchday programme for £2, which I thought was a bit steep. I won’t moan though, I did get in for free and I don’t want to create further animosity between myself and my good friend Rob. Did I mention they prevented us from being promoted?

First impressions of the ground? Very basic and very tidy. There has been substantial work at the club in recent years, with further work imminent as the club work towards their ground grading for the upcoming season. At the far end of the ground is the clubhouse and changing rooms. It looks a bit like a little cricket pavilion, with a couple of rows of covered seating. That’s basically it. The rest of the ground is made of hard standing.

The ground is neighboured by a large field on one side, and some large imposing houses on the other. I was told that the chairman lives in one of the houses and had built a little passageway from his back garden into the ground. It’s almost like having a huge back garden with a football pitch right at the bottom of it.

Facilities in the clubhouse were superb. The place was clean and there was plenty of natural light coming through the windows. We chose to sit in the corner of the room; being the anti-social students that we are. A large box of matchday programmes tempted me, and I soon found myself rummaging through them. Club Secretary Rob Turley told us we could help ourselves as long as we put a donation into the Development Fund.

Kick off time was fast approaching. I left the clubhouse to find Curzon manager John Flanagan giving his side the Phil Brown treatment. Flanagan had opted to sit all of his players in a circle on the pitch as he ran through his final tactics. It all sounded rather boring and I’m sure I saw one player falling asleep towards the back of the group. There were some new faces in amongst the Curzon squad, with three lads who had caught our eye in particular. Curious as to who they were, we sent Aaron off on a fact finding mission.

Perching ourselves in front of the houses we had a good view of the pitch. I loved the laid back atmosphere at West Didsbury & Chorlton. We were sitting on the grass next to the pitch, enjoying a pint. We were having so much fun that we’d forgotten Aaron had gone missing. When he arrived back with a confident grin on his face we were rather confused.

“Three French lads! Going by the names of Onez, Steve and Marcos” Well. It certainly made our knocked together team sheet look more exciting. Why had three French lads turned up to play for Curzon? It all seemed a bit odd. Perhaps they weren’t French? Aaron was adamant that they were French, so we began to rustle together some positive French comments that we could offer the trio.

That is a joke of course. I didn’t urinate over the walls. I only did it over the floor. I was told that West Didsbury defender Stephen Brockley was penalised for handling the ball, before Simon Lakeland scored a great penalty to give Curzon a 1-0 lead. The fact I wasn’t there at the time means I can’t claim the penalty photographs as my own. So to avoid Aaron taking me to court, I must stress that the photographs are his. We did discuss the possibility of taking each other to court over the matter, but it all seemed a bit daft when I pointed out that Aaron would need to give me a lift in his car.

With 20 minutes of the match remaining, John Flanagan threw on his French trio. They began to run the West Didsbury defence ragged with their pace.

Enough of our French friends for the moment. West Didsbury had emerged from the changing rooms in their white and black home kit. Notable players for them included former Atherton Collieries manager Dave Conlon and more importantly Stephen Brockley.

Both teams had played a number of fixtures in quick succession in the days leading up to the match, so we weren’t expecting a thriller. It turned out to be a very even game, with both sides having opportunities to score.

The match was ultimately decided with a penalty after what was apparently an iffy refereeing decision. I was too busy urinating over the brand new paint work in the toilets to see what had actually happened.

Allez Onez! Allez!” shouted some Curzon fans. It must have been a special moment for these players, being taken to the hearts of the British public almost instantaneously. It was then that the bombshell was dropped. Onez, Steve and Marcos weren’t French. Aaron had well and truly cocked up. The three of them were actually from Ghana, Portugal and Gorton respectively. Even more disappointing was the fact the three of them were subsequently released after the match. Sacre bleu!

As the sun began to set over Chorlton, the match slowly petered out. To use the cliché “it was a typical pre season match” would be fitting. It won’t live long in the memory, but the ground and the hospitable people at the club certainly will do.

When and why did you start supporting West Didsbury & Chorlton?

I started coming down probably about 5 or 6 years ago before lockdown. I used to be a season ticket holder at Sheffield United and would come to West when they were playing somewhere difficult to get to. I started by keeping myself to myself but eventually made a load of mates through the club.

What’s been your favourite moment, game or goal as a WD&C fan?

With the cup runs this and last year and last season's promotion, there's been some great experiences. The scenes at Whitley Bay and Coventry in the Vase this year were incredible and will live with me for a long time. My favourite goal - probably Dontai Gabidon's skill and lobbed finish against Isle of Man at home this year.

How do you think this season has gone so far for your team?

For a promoted team, being higher-midtable has been probably the best that could reasonably have been expected and there has been a steady upward trajectory in performances and results. The Vase run has been incredible, though, and would be enough on its

Q&A WITH JAMIE WROE

own to count this season as a success.

Who’s been the best player you’ve seen play for WD&C? Or your favourite?

We've had quite a few come through. I sadly wasn't a regular when nowFleetwood player Carlos Mendes Gomes was at the club - he once famously missed a West match because he was stuck in a lift. Dontai Gabidon, who is now at FC United, was probably the best technical player I've seen in white and black Out of the current lot, it's hard to overlook the league's top goalscorer Ben Elliot, who is just there in the right place whenever you need him.

All time 5 a side for WD&C?

Andrew Jones in goal, he's been instrumental in a number of results this year and is a penalty-saving king. Would have Sam Heathcote and Markell Foulds as your more defensive players and Dontai Gabidon paired with Mendes Gomes as attackers.

Have you ever visited Squires Gate before?

No, this will be the first time (if I do make it - I'm trying to get to the Blackburn v Sheff U lunchtime kickoff

beforehand and the roads might not be kind). I know it's a tough place to come as an away side.

Who’s the one to watch in the West squad that we have to look out for?

Ben Elliot is a goal machine and can score in any match against any defenders. I'm always impressed with the output and application of winger Ezeikel Eme who will be a constant thorn in the side.

West Didsbury & Chorlton host Ascot United in the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase. A massive game for the club, how proud of the run so far are you? And do you think you can go all the way?

Why not us? It's the biggest opportunity the club has ever had and the players always seem to meet these big occasions head on. I'm well up for it and already dreaming of the West ultras trying to take over Wembley pubs.

Who would you want to face in the final at Wembley out the remaining teams?

Beating Bury on pens would be fun.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw back in November, what’s your score prediction for today’s game?

I think West have started to grow into the season more and more. Just need to avoid any sloppiness. I think we squeeze a 2-1 win out.

Words by Dan Hayden

It was the fourth away game on the bounce for us as we travelled to Ashton Athletic.

Me and James were joined by 2 guests for this away trip. James’ girlfriend Laura and a young lad who goes by the name of Jay who is rarely seen at Gate nowadays. We even had a joke with him that the only reason he was wearing his Gate jacket and scarf was so that people would recognise him!

It was Jay who drove us down for this short trip. On the journey down, James finally decided to tell me that whenever he is in my car he is always sweating; however, has he ever told me to turn the heat down? I did wonder why he had his head out the window most trips to be honest...

We got to the ground in good time, and it was straight to the food van to see what was on offer. There was a good selection of food with burgers, hot dogs and pies available.

Those of you who have been reading these all season will know that I love a Hollands pie but me and James love to see a pie that is homemade or from somewhere local to add a bit of uniqueness to our trip.

I opted for a meat and potato pie as it didn’t look like a Hollands pie; however, soon realised that it was after having a debate with James and Laura that it wasn’t. Laura got a coffee which she said “tasted like dishwater”.

The people at Ashton Athletic are lovely though, a very friendly bunch there. After having my pie, we went into the club house and had a catch up with Theo’s Dad, Penni’s Grandad and spoke about the programme of the year award, which hopefully we will at least be nominated for.

A quick tour of the ground for the Instagram reels, and then back to the burger van to get some more food. This time, I went for the plain burger. Again, nothing special but did the job.

In terms of the game, there really wasn’t much to write home about in the first half. It was one that will easily slip the memory in years to come, and it was soon half time.

We headed into hospitality, and with no staff about, Jay decided to cater us. There were sandwiches and mini rolls on offer. Jay messaged James asking if he wanted a mini roll bringing out and James was then disappointed that he had to share a mini roll with Laura…

The game was won through a penalty, won by Rowan Chambers and slotted away by Dan Gray. A vital 3 points as we look to guarantee safety; however, I do think Ashton Athletic’s time is up sadly.

After presenting Chris Webster with the man of the match award, and James completing the post match interview, it was time to head back to Blackpool

So it has to be a nil poi for programmes...

SCORE: 0/10

as to how we could download one to have a look at.

but instead, we had Jay.

said they were digital; however, there was no direction

available at Ashton Athletic. The guy behind the bar

Unfortunately, there were no physical programmes

PROGRAMME

SCORE: 4/10

come in.

was easy enough and there is a proper turnstile as you

I ’ ll be honest, it ’ s not my favourite ground but parking

next to the dugouts.

Brocstedes Park has one main stand which is situated

STADIUM

SCORE: 6/10

higher had there been someone there to cater for us

friendly. The half time hospitality could definitely have rated

lovely people, and everyone we encountered was

As I mentioned, the people at Ashton Athletic were

HOSPITALITY

SCORE: 8/10

overall, I rate it on the options that were available.

did the job. It was a dark fruits from a can in the bar but

A standard hollands pie was available, and the burger

food we were going to get but the options were good.

dish water, I was quite pessimistic about what sort of

After Laura gave feedback

about her coffee tasting like

FOOD & DRINK

RATING: 26/50

AWAY DAY REVIEWS

as well

SCORE: 8/10

too. Laura provided some sherbert lemons for the journey

Travelling home after a win is always a good feeling

it was relatively straight forward.

one; however, with Ashton only being 45 minutes away,

A journey down on a Tuesday night is always a rushed

JOURNEY

NWCFL

Words by Footy Book Reviews

When Englands Lionesses brought home the nation’s first major trophy in almost sixty years, they galvanised a nation. Fans new and old, male and female, got behind the team and women’s football reached new heights. It was a demonstration of all that is brilliant in sport and a celebration of equality and diversity at its finest.

For many women, however, football hasn’t been, and isn’t always, a safe, welcoming and equal space. Incidents of sexism and misogyny have been all too often the experience of women in football, whether as players, employees or fans. And it was such undesirable experiences that led to two women making a stand.

On 15 May 2021, Caz May and Lucy Ford, both having suffered negative experiences as women at men’s football matches, established Her Game Too (HGT) – a campaign to ‘eradicate sexism in the football industry’ allowing ‘women and girls of all ages to feel confident and safe’ within football, which launched with a hard-hitting and impactful video, which I urge anyone to take a look at. Having grown from strength to strength and with increasing interest and visibility for

women in the game, Matt Riley’s Her Game Too reflects on and takes up Caz and Lucy’s rallying cry.

The issue of a man writing this book may seem somewhat askew to some people, but, as Riley explains, he is simply a football fan, and in a world without sexism and misogyny that is what we all are: not male or female fans, just football fans. It is encouraging too for HGT to have such a proud and vocal male ally. Having said this, would it have been empowering to have a female author behind the book?

Of course, but, ultimately, the most important thing is getting the message out there via supportive and cooperative means and Riley is clearly a committed and qualified ally. What’s more his book gives both voice to other key allies and, crucially, to the women themselves who have been affected by insult and abuse. Indeed, HGT carried out a survey of female fans in 2021 to get a sense of the extent of the problem and all 371 responses are included at the back of the book.

If a reader chooses to read nothing else, this alone gives a

clear indication of the problem that instigated the need for HGT.

The book itself offers a whistlestop tour of some of the main issues, themes, experiences and developments when it comes to sexism and misogyny in the game and while it is clear there is much still to be done, there are examples, not least in the work of HGT, that offer hope.

Whilst the growth of HGT may seem to reflect the continuing challenges in football, conversely it is a symbol of transformation and progress, of a groundswell of change, a chorus of knowing voices.

The message that comes across loud and clear is that there is no reason why women shouldn’t be involved in football in whatever guise they wish, they have equal right to be supporters, players, managers, officials and the like in a safe, welcoming and inclusive game, now they just need to have equal opportunity.

Which of these NWCFL clubs are not in the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase?

A. Bury AFC

B. Congleton Town

C. Avro

D. West Didsbury & Chorlton

Which of these clubs are not in the FA Cup quarter finals?

A. Burnley

B. Chelsea

C. Fulham

D. Grimsby

Which of these are not in the Womens FA Cup quarter finals?

A. Aston Villa

B. Brighton

C. Birmingham

D. Everton

Guess The Shirt Season

The quarter finalists of the FA Cup are hidden in this wordsearch but we’ve forgotten to add one. Which one of the 8 is not there?

Burnley Brighton Man City

Man United Grimsby Fulham

Sheffield Utd Blackburn

Career Path

………………………………………………………...

ANSWERS

Wordsearch: Brighton

Shirt Season: 2017/18

Career Path: Charlie Adam

Wordle: Dixon, Wright, Butcher

Quickfire: 1. C, 2.B, 3.D

SQUIRES GATE WEST DIDSBURY & CHORTLON

Manager: Luke Evans

Colours: Blue shirt, blue shorts, blue socks

Nathan PENNINGTON

Josh WESTWOOD (C)

Nathan BARTRAM

Luke HOLDEN

Louis SHIELDS

Dan SMITH

Alex WELSH

Dan GRAY

Chris WEBSTER

Rowan CHAMBERS

Harrison KAY

Saad MEKKAOUI-ABOUZAID

Ryan RILEY

James HUGHES

Nathan CLIFFE

James BOYD

Sean ALUEBHOSELE

Theo BALL

Olly HESFORD

Gary PETT

Harrison WEBSTER

Ryan MOORE

Callum SANDLE

Kieran JONES

Manager: Chris Rowley

Colours: White Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks

Andrew JONES

Matthew COOK

Connor HANCOCK

Tom WESTALL

Luke VAYRO

Markell FOULDS

Ben HAMPSON

Matthew SMYTH

Callum GRAHAM

Sam DICKINSON

Darren MCKNIGHT

Callum JONES

Kiel O’BRIEN

Liam DELANEY

Rhain DAVIS

Laurence TAYLOR

Jack RYAN

Ezekiel EME

Billy MATTEWS

Kyle PERRY

Joel SWIFT

Dontai GABIDON

Jean-Jacques KIRONGOZI

Daniel BILLINGTON-BOATENG