161124 runcorn linnets

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME £2.00

The Hallmark Security League – Premier Division

Runcorn Linnets WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Saturday 26 November 2016 3.00pm

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President Brian Cripps

Director of Football: Andy Nelson

Chairman Glyn Meacher

First Team Manager: Steve Settle Head Coach: Steve Brockley Assistant: Steve Eckersley (admin) Assistant: Rob Madden Goalkeeping: Dale Newbrook Match Secretary: Rob McKay

Club Secretary Rob McKay Mob: 07706 320397 e-mail: robmckay86@gmail.com Membership Secretary Monica Creer Treasurer Dave Cooper Sponsorship John Churchman 07720 508082 Community Development Davy Iredale

Reserve Team Managers: Jim Hines & Danny Iredale Physio Winston Luke Paddy Murphy Youth Team Manager: Nick Storey

Publicity Team Rob McKay John Churchman

Programme contributors: John Churchman; Rob McKay; Paul Settle and Jonny Keen Match Photographer: Graham Currey 07768 763209 Ownership: In accordance with THE Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 clubs in the Football Pyramid we hereby confirm that the legal status of WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB is as not for profit private members club.

Any gain arising from the carrying on of the Club shall be applied for the benefit of the Club or for some charitable or benevolent purpose or purposes approved by resolution at a general meeting of the Club.

To contact the club please use the club website: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Main Club Sponsor:

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Welcome to Runcorn Linnets Good afternoon and welcome to today’s Hallmark Security League Premier Division game against Runcorn Linnets.

We welcome their officials, players and supporters to Brookburn Road and we hope they enjoy our hospitality today. After a slow start to the season when they managed only 2 points from the first 4 games our visitors have now got well and truly into their stride and are once again challenging at the top of the league.

They currently sit in 4th place, level on points with Bootle and Atherton Collieries and 5 points behind leaders and local rivals Runcorn Town. Their slow start can possibly be explained by the change of manager during the summer following the departure of long serving manager Joey Dunn and several players. The club quickly moved to appoint former player Michael Ellison to the post and he now appears to have assembled another competitive squad who will undoubtedly challenge for honours again this season. The reverse fixture back in August was our first league game of the season, and having led twice in the game we were a little disappointed to come away with a 2-2 draw. Once again we expect a hard fought game this afternoon and we will need to be at our best to gain anything from the game.

Our last game against AFC Liverpool followed a familiar pattern. After taking a 2 goal lead in the 1st half we contrived to drop 2 more points by once again conceding an equaliser in the 90th minute. On the injury front our bad luck has struck again, with Ben Woods and Carlos Mendes Gomez suffering muscle injuries in the last 2 games. Hopefully they will both be back soon. On a positive note we welcome Nic Evangelinos back to the club. Nic left in the summer and moved back to his home in the Coventry area having completed his studies at Manchester University. He has been playing for AFC Rushden and Diamonds this season but has now secured employment in the area and we are delighted to welcome him back. Hopefully he will quickly find his form from last season when he scored 21 goals for us.

Today’s game marks the half way point in the season. Of the 21 games played to date, 13 have been at home and only 8 away. This means that in the remaining 5 months of the season we have only 8 home games to play. There will inevitably be some gaps between home games which is somewhat unfortunate when we are trying to grow our fan base but we trust our supporters will bear with us. Interestingly Linnets will be the 6th side we have played twice this season while we have yet to play 5 teams, namely Maine Road Barnoldswick Hanley Winsford and Congleton.

Who’s up next?

Subject to how the fixtures stand at the time of going to print: Tuesday 29th November – Glossop North End (a) 7.45pm ko Saturday 3rd December – Congleton Town (a) 3.00pm ko Saturday 10th December – Winsford United (h) 3.00pm ko The details of the Easter ground hop have now been released and we will play Congleton Town here on Monday 17 April with a 2.45 kick off. Full Groundhop fixtures appear later in the programme.

Enjoy the game, and a safe journey home to all after the game.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Steve Settle’s Notes Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Brookburn Road for this Premier Division fixture against Runcorn Linnets. We hope their management team, officials, players and supporters have an enjoyable afternoon and after todays game we wish them well for the remainder of the season.

Todays game will be a tough one! Since taking over in the summer Michael Ellison and Matt Cross have done a great job in rejuvenating the club after the previous management team left in the summer following missing out on promotion for successive seasons. They are both football men and look to play the game in the right way. Runcorn come into this game in 4th position on goal difference and in good form.

It is certain that we will have to be at our best defensively today if we are to get anything out of the game.

Brocks, Ecky, Rob and I have been frustrated by some of the recent cancellations. We have wanted to get some of the recent performances out of our system so that we can get a little confidence and momentum in order to start playing like we were doing earlier on in the season. More recently we have started to get our act together going forward but we have let ourselves down defensively by switching off for short periods of time. If we can start to look a little more solid again I have every confidence that we can start to pick up more wins as I always feel we have the quality to score goals.

On that note I’m delighted to welcome Nic Evangelinos back to the club after he has successfully gained employment in the North West. Those of you that saw Nic last year will understand how excited I am to getting him back on the pitch in a black and white shirt.

Nic contributed with over 20 goals last season along with countless assists and he will bring us more options going forward.

Welcome back Nic! On the injury front we are still without long term absentees Scott Mason, Michael Simcock, Lee Gavin and Gaz Lilley. In addition to this Ben Woods will be out for a week or so with a groin injury and Nia will be missing for the foreseeable future as he is on new daddy duty.

We would like to congratulate him and his partner Hannah on the birth of their little boy.

In slightly better news Mark Rodgers has returned to training and we are hopeful he will be available for today’s game.

Finally Id like to thank our increasing number of supporters. The atmosphere in the last few games has been excellent and on behalf of the lads we really appreciate it.

Fingers crossed we can turn the corner and start to get some results that represent the support!

As always enjoy the game and thanks for your support.

Setts

NEXT UP West v Winsford United At Brookburn Road

Saturday 10th December 3.00pm www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL Premier Division – Results (after 22 November)

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History of Runcorn Linnets Back to the beginning – the formation of Runcorn Linnets

with the higher standard of football at the next level and the last three seasons at Witton brought modest mid-table positions.

Runcorn Linnets Football Club was born on 28 April 2006 after Runcorn AFC had intimated that they would not be in a position to field a team in the following season. Since leaving town in 2000, the club had suffered a troubled and nomadic existence.

In season 2007/08 the Linnets entered the FA Vase for the first time but after victory in a preliminary round, there was a first-round exit to Salford City. Averaging 180 crowds at Wincham Park and invariably taking up to 100 fans to away grounds, the desire to relocate back into Runcorn was always paramount as the R2R ("Return to Runcorn") campaign was launched.

Fans met at on their spiritual home of Canal Street – in the Quayside function rooms next door to the now Linnets Park housing estate on which Runcorn’s ground had stood. Those supporters, determined not to let 88 years of football tradition die, voted to establish a new community club. An existing Supporters Trust was remodelled to run Runcorn Linnets, whose identity was derived from Runcorn AFC’s nickname.

Steve Wilkes, who had been manager at Padiham, succeeded Carragher at the beginning of 2008. Goalkeeper Robbie Holcroft provided continuity as the new manager’s assistant. 2008-09 saw first-time FA Cup involvement but the campaign highlight was reaching the Vodkat (League Challenge) Cup final at Tameside Stadium in Ashton-underLyne although Linnets were beaten 2-0 by league runners-up New Mills.

With only four months to the start of a new season, business and action plans were drawn up and negotiations opened with the FA, the Cheshire FA, the NWCL, Supporters Direct and Witton Albion FC in Wincham, Northwich, where Linnets ground shared for four seasons.

Season 2009/10 saw The Linnets again finish midway while having little real success in the cup competitions. The main target throughout this time had been to get the club back into its home town.

The club was accepted into the NWCL league by the member clubs on Saturday 17 June 2006 at the AGM in Buxton and former Runcorn player and boss Steve Carragher joined as manager.

Flying start to early years at Wincham Park Visiting unfamiliar grounds and making new friends along the way, the 2006-07 season was both enjoyable and successful as promotion was won from Division Two (now Division One) to Division One (now Premier Division) at the first attempt - as runners-up on goal difference to Winsford United.

Striking a balance between paying the rent, funding the team and building reserves for the desired Runcorn homecoming proved challenging; it also took time to come to terms

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Original proposals to develop facilities at Riverside College in the Dukesfield area proved too costly but in June 2009 plans for the new ground at Murdishaw – on the municipal Halton Sports complex - were passed by Halton Borough Council Executive Board. Just before Christmas, the club was grant-funded £93,000 plus by the Football Stadium Improvement Fund (FSIF).

Coming home to a first winners’ trophy Dreams became reality as The Millbank Linnets Stadium officially opened on July 17th 2010 when the visit of former landlords Witton Albion attracted a crowd of more than 1,000.

Season 2010/11, the first back in Runcorn, saw Steve Wilkes and his deputy Ian McGarry replaced towards the end of August. Former Linnet Paul McNally, having been assistant at Skelmersdale United, was appointment manager – his backroom team including

History of Runcorn Linnets continued assistant Dave Hughes, the ex-Atherton LR boss, and coach Chris Fitzsimmons. A rebuilding process ended in a strong finish for 12th spot and average attendances were 106% up on the previous season at Witton.

The club finished fifth in the NWCL Premier of 2011-12. Highlight of the cup runs was the 4-0 replay defeat of Evo-stik North One visitors Mossley.

The following season saw Paul McNally leave for personal reasons. Replacement Joey Dunn, a one-time Runcorn team-mate of McNally and assisted by Stuart Humphreys, led the club to its first major trophy. The Linnets defeated Formby in League Challenge Cup in front of more than 500 fans at Curzon Ashton FC. A three-month undefeated run from the start of the New Year secured sixth spot in the league.

Three successive runners-up finishes but no promotion Excellent early form in 2013/14 brought a run in the FA Cup that saw two Evo-Stik League teams defeated before a 2-0 third qualifying round defeat at North Ferriby United of Conference North. Despite an impressive 95point return, second-placed Runcorn were beaten to the title by Norton United.

Season 2014-15 was similarly exciting but equally agonising. Although the final deficit on champions Glossop North End was 10 points, three quarters of the Linnets’ league defeats came in the final month - once they had finally been overhauled by the relentless Derbyshire outfit, also League Challenge Cup winners and Wembley finalists in the FA Vase.

The Linnets had led the table for most of the campaign but were eventually overtaken by Glossop (a team they had beaten away from home in early season) who triumphed thanks to their higher win ratio with both clubs having lost only four of 40 league matches.

An individual landmark saw winger Matthew Atherton set a new club appearance record with his 203rd Linnets outing in September.

This has since been significantly extended by

the popular winger turned full-back who has become the first Linnets player to go past 250 games.

However, the climax to the 2015-16 season saw the end of an era as ever-popular club captain Michael Ellison, having appeared more than 200 times for the Runcorn club, announced his retirement from playing.

However, in July 2016 “Ello” dramatically returned to the scene when he was appointed manager in succession to Joey Dunn, who resigned as boss after deciding that he needed a break from the game.

Joey's right hand man Stu Humphreys continued as assistant manager but only very briefly. Inside a week, he had resigned with Ellison then appointing another former Linnets senior player, Matt Cross as his deputy.

Ellison the player (and ultimately Dunn the manager) had been unable to bow out in the way they would have preferred. Despite taking 98 points from 42 games, the luckless Linnets again missed out on the championship – this time to Colne.

The honours were only settled on the final day as Runcorn Linnets won 4-0 at Padiham only to see their Lancastrian title rivals snatch a late win by the only goal at 1874 Northwich to prevail by two points.

The Linnets had scored more wins than any other team with 32 victories while 35 goals conceded was the fewest in the league (helping to secure Dean Porter’s the NWCL Premier Division Goalkeeper of the Year award). But, after the third consecutive secondplaced finish, Runcorn again had nowhere to go. No promotion - not even a play-off.

Joey Dunn had been the most successful manager in the club’s short history, helping Runcorn Linnets to lift their first major trophy while achieving and maintaining a high and unprecedented level of performance in the league. After an eventful summer, the Linnets are ready to carry on their good work with another major assault on league and cup honours.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History of West…PART 7 – The Thirties Unfortunately there is a gap in the playing records of the seasons 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35, which means there is no accurate picture of how the club fared during this time.

We do know that West reached the Rhodes Cup Final for the third time in their history, but we have no details of how this occurred.

The L & C League records do show that it was third time unlucky in 1934 and that South Salford lifted the trophy. This was no disgrace and certainly no surprise as the same League records show that South Salford were 1st Division champions from 1925-26 to 1936-37 (twelve successive seasons) and at the same period won the Rhodes Cup on 6 successive occasions from 1930-31 to 1935-36, a record which no other club is ever likely to equal.

It appears that the mid-thirties were not the happiest of times for the club, and the record of the AGM held in St. Luke’s School, Burton Road, on 5 May 1936, reveals that things were not what they should have been, particularly on the financial side. Treasurer Johnny Edwards reported a loss on the season which he had

borne out of his own pocket. The secretary criticised the loss, and that a section of the members had apparently made little effort towards meeting the deficit. He thought it was 'a very poor appreciation of the Treasurer’s efforts and generosity’ and intimated that he himself was ‘not prepared to carry on with his duties unless these members showed better appreciation of their duty to the club’.

The report continued to mention the poor performances on the field and the fact that relegation had just been avoided, but that in distressing circumstances he thought the loyalty of the players should be placed on record, whilst criticising a minority on the committee for their poor attendance at 2nd XI away games. As a result, a number of committee members stepped down, and those who remained faced the challenge of stabilising the club.

A small body of players were asked to formulate schemes for the raising of revenue as early as possible.

Confirmation of Hallmark Security League Groundhop games…

In association with the UK leader in this field - GroundhopUK, we are delighted to announce the fixtures which will be held on Easter Sunday and Monday, 16 & 17 April 2017 are: On Easter Sunday, 16 April  Ashton Athletic v Squires Gate 11.00am  St Helens Town v City of Liverpool 3.00pm  Runcorn Town v Barnton 6.30pm Easter Monday, 17 April  Atherton Collieries v AFC Darwen 11.00am  West Didsbury & Chorlton v Congleton Town 2,45pm  Maine Road v Abbey Hey 5.45pm

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

Support your local club and show your support with our latest official club merchandise!

New for this season at £6 (£5 for club members and supporters’ club members) we have beanie hats and a club crest scarf. There are now more ways than ever to buy club merchandise as in addition to being able to purchase on match days our new online club shop is open. Simply log on to www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk today to purchase what you want and have it delivered straight to your front door!

Wrist bands £1, Mugs at £5, Key rings at £1, Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50 Programme Back Issues

Follow News Updates on West via Twitter and Facebook!

Can’t make it to the game and want live match updates? Wanting the very latest news from the club on the move? Make sure that you log onto our Facebook page for all the latest news, views and updates on all things West Didsbury & Chorlton by clicking on www.facebook.com/WestDidsburyChorlton Alternatively you can follow on the very latest goings on the club with exclusive content by logging onto Twitter and following us @WD_CFC (picture of club badge)

Ground Safety In the interest of spectator comfort and safety, the following conditions apply at the clubs Brookburn Road ground and must be observed at all times.        

In case of fire or other emergency that requires the clubhouse or ground to be evacuated instructions will be given over the public address system, and we ask that you comply with those instructions immediately.

The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.

Glasses, bottles, gas canisters, knives, darts, tools, flag poles or any other articles likely to cause injury are not permitted into the ground.

Alcohol may be purchased and consumed in the bar area only.

Children are not allowed in the Club House unless accompanied by an adult.

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.

Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.

All forms of transport on the clubs car park is at the owners’ risk.

The club reserves the right to remove any person from the ground who is in breach of these rules or whose presence is a source of danger or annoyance to others. We hope you understand the reasons for the above are in order for the game to be enjoyed in safe and pleasant conditions.

Thank you, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Committee.

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

2016-17 First Team Stats results – appearances – goalscorers

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2016-17 First Team Stats results – appearances – goalscorers

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Today’s Mascot … Dom We are pleased to welcome Iwan to lead the team out today To get to know Iwan better we asked him six questions: 1. What team do you play for: I play for West’s under 13's.

2. What is your position in the team: I play as a forward or left midfield 3. What school do you go to: I go to Chorlton High 4. What team do you support: Arsenal 5. Who is your favourite professional player: Hector Bellarin 6. Who is your favourite West player: Dean Williams

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Premier Division Attendances so far this season (22 Nov)

The winners of the draw are: November

£100 JohnC £60 David Gagon £40 Dean Williams

Don’t miss out…

Sign up in the Clubhouse

Tel: 0161 428 5101 Unit 2, Ashurst Drive, Lawnhurst Trading Estate, Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle SK3 0SD

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 2 AFC Liverpool 2 match report…Saturday 12 November It was a sense of déjà vu for West as for the second consecutive Saturday they were denied three points by surrendering a two goal lead at home. West welcomed an AFC Liverpool side to Brookburn Road who enjoyed wins of each of their previous three league visits.

Another injury, this time to Ben Woods, saw Paul Socha recalled to the side whilst Jordan Poole was thrust in as emergency left back in place of Richmond Botchey.

West started brightly and hit the outside of the post after just four minutes when Carlos Mendes Gomes released Ash Woods with a superb through ball and the West forward cannoned his shot off the outside of the post from a tight angle. West were gifted a lead on 10 minutes when Jordan Poole’s long ball found the head of Liverpool’s Michael White; the giant stopper tried to head back to his own goal but his header perfectly deceived goalkeeper Charles Saunders and could only watch as the ball rolled into the bottom corner.

Three minutes later West doubled their lead as Matty Kay swung a free kick to the far post and Ash Woods rose highest to power in a header of the inside of the post for 2-0. He almost made it 3-0 on 34 minutes as a quick free kick from the left hand side released him at the near post but his effort cannoned off the underside of the crossbar. West continued to create chances as both Ben Steer and Kay forced efforts wide of the post shortly before half time.

In the second half West created the early chance as a good move opened the Liverpool defence up but Joe Shaw could only fire into the keepers hands. Two minutes later

Our mascot against AFC Liverpool Iwan Thomas lining up the match officials and captains

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Liverpool pulled a goal back as a through ball found Emini Adenbengro in acres of space allowing him to round goalkeeper Dean Williams and slot home on 57 minutes. Six minutes later the woodwork was struck for the fourth time in the match as Jason Carey hit the outside of the post from a narrow angle for Liverpool.

West continued to create chances as Nia Bayunu released substitute Saul Henderson with a superb pass on 65 minutes but the West forward could only fire into the hands of the keeper. Five minutes later Ash Woods picked him out with a superb cross field pass as Henderson raced 65 yards down field but could only fire his effort over the bar.

Liverpool didn’t give up however as they continued to pressure the West defence. West went close again, relying on the counter, through Kay on 72 minutes when Shaw did superbly to lift the ball over his marker, pulling his pass back to the edge of the area with the West number 10s effort deflected just wide.

Shaw then went close himself on 82 minutes when he powered an effort from the edge of the area just over the bar after a lay off from Henderson.

A goal would come but, for the visitors, as West surrendered possession inside their own half, Adenbengro raced to the by-line pulling his cross to the far post allowing Freddie Champion a tap in at the far post.

Both sides sought a winner but a point flattered neither side as West stretched their winless run to three matches.

West v AFC Liverpool match action

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Sign up to support the boys‌

Sponsor a Player - ÂŁ50 Player sponsorship is a great opportunity for you, your family, or your company to show your support both to the club and a particular player. This will appear throughout the season in every Match Day Programme and on the club website: www.westdidsburychorton.co.uk H Buckley Smith

Dean Williams

Martyn Andrews

Richmond Botchey

NQ Supporters

Anthony Potts

Michael Simcock

Paul Socha

Lee Gavin

Scott Mason

Mark Rogers

Joe Shaw

Laura Hurst

Gary Lilley

Pennant

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Rob Black

Rick Gleave

Matty Kay

Electricity North West

Fusion Digital

Ben Steer

Ashley Woods

Ben Woods

Pennant

Woods Distribution

Mo Noor

Rick Ainsclough

Jonathan Poizer

Georgi Whyment

Salford City College Sports Dept

Nia Bayunu

Nik Evangelinos

To Sponsor the Management Team - £30 Steve Settle

Steve Brockley

Steve Eckersley

Rob Madden

James Doxford

John C

James Doxford

The Krombacher Ultra’s

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL League Tables after games on 22 November

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

The Hallmark Security League – Premier Division Today’s fixtures: AFC Darwen v Irlam Padiham v Cammell Laird Squires Gate v New Mills WEST v Runcorn Linnets

First Team Appearances this season…

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OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current pitch side board sponsors for their support.

Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Saturday 26 November 2016 West Didsbury & Chorlton

Runcorn Linnets

White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

Yellow & Green Shirts & Socks, Green Shorts

Tom Hunt Jay Roberts Chris Lawton Zac Aley Kevin McGrath Danny McKenna Paul Jewell Adam Wade Kyle Hamid Danny O’Brien Ronnie McCarthy Aaron Morris Bevan Burey Stuart Wellstead Sean Carlson Taylor Kennerley Anthony Hickey Mark Houghton Paul Shanley Steve Foster Kristan Holt

Dean Williams (G) Richmond Botchey Scott Mason Martyn Andrews Mark Rogers © Anthony Potts Nia Bayunu Paul Socha Rick Ainsclough Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Georgi Whyment Ashley Woods Joe Shaw Saul Henderson Ben Steer Rob Black Nic Evangelinos

Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Managers: Michael Ellison Assistant: Matt Cross

OFFICIALS Referee: Daniel Issawi Asst. Referees: Lee Berry & Gary Donaldson

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Ass