West Didsbury & Chorlton v AFC Blackpool

Manager: Steve Settle Asst Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

2015-16 SEASON

Official Programme

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NWCFL Premier Division

AFC Blackpool WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC Thursday 5 May 2016 7.45pm

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 Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441 Membership Secretary Monica Creer Treasurer Dave Cooper Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley Community Development Davy Iredale

Reserve Team Manager: Jim Hines Asst Manager: Ian Depeiaza Physio Winston Luke Paddy Murphy ‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale

Publicity Team Rob McKay 07706 320397 John Churchman 07720 508082

Youth Team Manager Ian Depeiaza

Programme contributors: John Churchman; Rob McKay, Rob Turley 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:

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Editorial & Welcome to…

AFC Blackpool

We extend a warm welcome to everyone associated with AFC Blackpool and any other visitors today and trust you enjoy the match day experience here at The Recreation Ground.

This season our visitors have been fighting to maintain their Premier Division status for many months. The outcome of which is still intriguing, as we don’t currently know who the three relegated sides will be with only three points separating the bottom five clubs. The next two games for AFC Blackpool are critical for their survival so it is unfortunate that with the fixture congestion this season, we find ourselves playing each other twice in three days. So, tonight’s home game and our game at Blackpool on Saturday, will have a big say in who goes down.

In previous encounters between our two club’s WEST have had the best of the results, winning the first game here in September 2013, 2-0 with goals from Gleave and Brockley, and then winning 4-0 in Blackpool with Gleave and Baldwin Willis each getting a brace. Last season the game here ended 0-0 but we again won 4-0 away in Blackpool in the final game of the season.

It is also nice to welcome back long serving AFC Blackpool secretary Billy Singleton who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. He is now able to discharge his secretarial duties in the new club office which has been built as part of an extension to the clubhouse facilities at The Mechanics Ground for the start of the season. Billy is also one of the few people who has attended every League AGM since the NWCFL was established in 1982 and is one of the longest serving club officials as well as being a member of the League Management Committee.

After the huge success of West’s home game against Maine Road last Friday which drew a club competitive attendance record of 405, we are offering a FREE drink to all supporters upon admission tonight.

Chairman Glyn Meacher said: “The response to the game last Friday was genuinely overwhelming and it was terrific to see so many people down in attendance. We’ve had a terrific season as we are on course for our highest ever finish and we’d like to round it off with a thank you to the many people who have supported us throughout the season.”

Manager Steve Settle added: “It was brilliant to see so many people at the South Manchester Derby and it really shows that the hard work put in by the committee and its volunteers is being rewarded. Although we didn’t get the result we wanted on the pitch, it was great that so many people had a good time off it and it’s terrific that we can offer something back to the fans.”

On behalf of everyone associated with the club we hope you all have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you and the changes taking place at the club in the closed season.

You can keep up to date with club news through the summer by monitoring the Website, Twitter and Facebook.

Presentation Evening Saturday 14th May – Schedule: 3pm - Fun game 5pm - Food in the clubhouse 6pm - Karaoke and Play your cards right with Alan Dobson 8pm - Presentation of Awards

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Steve Settle’s Notes Good evening everyone and welcome to Brookburn Road for the final home game of what has been a long and challenging season.

Tonight we welcome our friends from AFC Blackpool as they look to avoid relegation in the last 2 games. In a strange twist of fate the return fixture in Blackpool will take place this weekend and my initial proposal of settling the points by way of drinking games was met by consternation by Rob McKay, perhaps he’s seen some of the squad drink!! We come into the game trying to pip Congleton for 5th place and I feel that it’s important for us to finish the season strongly to set us up for pre-season.

Ordinarily in these notes myself or Brocks would talk through the previous games and assess and reflect on our performance. In this instance however, I’d like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to and thank a very special man on behalf of my management team and the players. Before Andy Nelson talked me into coming down to West Didsbury I didn’t know much about the club at all really. I knew of 1 or 2 players having played against West for Bamber Bridge earlier in the season but apart from that I was pretty uninformed.

Andy invited me to the club one evening after work to share the clubs ambitious plans with me and talk me into getting involved. Truth be told I had fallen out of love with football following various injuries that become par for the course once you get to a certain age. This was the first time I met and conversed with Rob Turley. His enthusiasm and passion for West led me to take out a direct debit form there and then! I’d gone from being paid £100 per week to paying £10 per month and driving home I thought ‘what happened there? This isn’t how it’s supposed to be’! It was the best thing I’ve ever done!!

In the bar he had laid out some of the plans that the club had for the land at the back of the ground on Hardy Farm.

Looking at the overgrown wasteland after climbing a concrete fence I silently thought ‘is he sure’? In a pretty apt representation his personality, 2 years down the line and those plans are a reality. The exceptional progress of our club on and off the football field over the past 5 years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers, too many to mention, but at the centre of those is Rob. On a personal level he has provided guidance, advice, and support to me

throughout my short time here for which I am extremely grateful. More widely he has shown great leadership and vision as the spearhead in the development of the club and it is almost certainly true that without Rob we wouldn’t have made half the progress that we have. On behalf of the players and management team, thankyou Rob for everything.

On the topic of thanks I would also like to thank Brocks, Rob, Steve and Dale for providing their support, advice and guidance throughout the season. Whilst I know you are ready for a break, I’m already looking forward to next seasons adventures! In addition Winston and Paddy have done an exceptional job between them patching the boys up and getting them on the pitch! Also worthy of thanks is Rob McKay, I’m delighted to have his talent behind us and he is doing a brilliant job of raising our profile.

I’d also like to thank Glyn, Monica, Dave, John, Davey, Danny and the rest of the committee for the opportunity to manage our club and their continued support throughout the season. The players have been simply immense! Even in games that haven’t gone our way they have given us everything and I’m very proud of their progress and achievements this year.

Final thanks goes to our growing supporters.

We will be working hard to deliver some silverware next season, you certainly deserve it! I’d like to extend an invite to all our supporters to our awards afternoon/evening next Saturday 14th May to share celebrating the effort of the lads this season. I think the plan is to have a supporters and players mixed game before having a few beers!!

Thanks for the continued support. Setts WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 0 Maine Road 1 ‌match report

Friday 22nd April

West set a competitive home record attendance in their first ever Friday night game but were upstaged by their cross town rivals Maine Road.

side found a blue shirt at the far post but it was headed just over. However both sides cancelled each other out in a game otherwise failing to live up to the occasion.

West manager Steve Settle made just one change from side from the one that had its nine game unbeaten run ended the previous Saturday by Atherton Collieries as he was boosted by the return of Nic Evangelinos. He was further boosted by the return of Lee Gavin to the bench with Michael Simcock also available having played his first minutes since August the previous Saturday.

The second half was barely a minute old when Martin Hill found himself free on the right hand side, the Maine Road winger composed himself and drilled a low bouncing pass back across Hayden and into the West goal off the inside of the post, a superb strike.

As comes naturally in derbies, even with two teams so usually full of goals, it was a cagey affair with few chances in the first half. Nic Evangelinos was put through twice in quick succession but Maine Road goalkeeper Ryan Livesey reacted quickly and raced from his goal to clear the danger on the first occasion. On the second occasion Evangelinos was robbed off the ball at the last second before a scramble could only force it wide for a corner.

West's next chance came from a low Ash Woods cross on the left which found Rick Gleave at the near post but he was unable to direct his flick on towards goal. At the other end a free kick saw Hayden called into action for the first time as it was whipped into the far post forcing the West goalkeeper to palm it away.

The best chance of the half fell Maine Road's way as a cross from the right hand

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

West went in search of an immediate equaliser and set pieces proved to be the most direct route to goal as, first, Scott Mason had a low close range free kick blocked by the Maine Road wall Ben Steer's long throw proved to be a menace as always as a delivery to the far post was turned into the side netting by Matty Kay with half the ground thinking he'd score.

Matty Kay went close again with West's best chance of the game as he curled a powerful free kick over the wall with Maine Road keeper Ryan Livesey making a wonderful save to tip it round the post.

The last chance came from another set piece, this time a corner as an in-swinging cross found, sub Jonny Poizer but headed over un-marked at the far post.

West couldn't find a way through as they made it five games without a win.

West v Maine Road …match action

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Congleton Town 2 West 2 ‌match report West secured a 2-2 draw away to Congleton Town but were made to play for much of the second half with 10 men after the dismissal of Matt Eckersley for a straight red card with more than 25 minutes remaining.

After Friday's loss Steve Settle reshuffled his team with Richmond Botchey making his first start since Boxing Day as he also brought Ben Steer into the starting line up with Scott Mason and Matty Kay forced to miss out. There were some familiar names returning to the bench as well with Callum and Scott Jones both fit after each having suffered long term injuries.

West started brightly as the front three of Nic Evangelinos, Ben Steer and Ash Woods pressed high up the field and were ahead inside 6 minutes when Steer's long throw found its way back to him allowing him to drill a hard first time shot across Bears goalkeeper Michael Dixon but could only parry it to Ash Woods who couldn't miss from 6 yards out. It was Ash Woods 20th goal of the season, surpassing the club's NWCFL record of 19 set

by Lee Malkin back in 2013.

Two minutes later it was almost two as a terrific West passing move culminated in Mark Rogers playing a low pass into the path of Gary Lilley who flicked it first time to Woods who clipped the corner of the post and crossbar with a first time effort from 20 yards out. Evangelinos himself almost added a second on 10 minutes as he curled a free kick just round the post.

West continued to attack and saw a Woods shot flash wide of the post on 12 minutes before he turned provider crossing to Evangelinos in the box whose header found the bottom corner; however the West striker was adjudged to have been offside. West didn't relent and on 19 minutes a great cross was headed back across goal but was scrambled clear before any one of three West players could apply a touch. Steer continued to torment Congleton as another cross evaded everyone bar Woods at the far post who pulled it back to Rogers whose shot flew just past the post.

On 25 minutes a Steer long throw picked out Evangelinos at the far post but he couldn't direct his shot on goal. Two minutes later Steer hit the post himself as an incredible 35 yard cross field pass from Matt Eckersley into the path of West winger, turning his man inside out before cannoning his shot off the near post with the keeper beaten.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Tuesday 26th April

West couldn't make the chances count however and were punished on 38 minutes when West twice surrendered possession in quick succession allowing Congleton's Scott McGowan to play a quick through ball to Declan Fletcher to released him one-one-on and the Bears striker made no mistake powering it home. For the first time in the game it was suddenly Congleton who were forcing the issue but West made it to half time with only a free kick from close range which eventually cleared the car park causing any concern.

Despite the late set back in the first half West's rhythm was uninterrupted and four minutes into the second half they should have been ahead again when Lilley robbed Congleton of possession on the half way line, he played in Woods one-on-one with the keeper but Dixon was able to smother the low shot. Two minutes later though they were ahead as a breathtaking counter attack from a Congleton corner saw West clear their lines with Lilley driving the length of the field, playing in Steer whose wonderful touch at the edge of the area found Evangelinos on the left and he bent it round the goalkeeper from close range for this 19th goal of the season.

Despite West being in control the game turned on the hour mark as Congleton striker Scott McGowan was deemed to have been brought down by Eckerlsey. The referee, having been 35 yards away failed to spot two West defenders between the forward and the goal, deemed it a clear goal scoring opportunity and gave Eckersley his marching orders. To make matters worse for West, Congleton's Ian Willis powered the free kick into the top left hand corner bringing the sides level with half an hour to play. Setts rang the changes as he brought on Callum Jones, Lee Gavin and Scott Jones, with the latter making his first appearance since August, in place of Gary Lilley, Ash Woods and the impressive Richmond Botchey.

Despite the man disadvantage it was West who continued to create chances as on 78 minutes Steer went through one-on-one forcing an excellent save from Dixon but the rebound fell to sub Lee Gavin and his shot was saved off the line by player-manager Andy Alston. Steer again might have won it at the death for West but volleyed over as they secured an impressive but more than deserved point. However it leaves West without a win in six games as they dropped to seventh thanks to Bootle's impressive win at home to Runcorn Linnets.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Barnoldswick Town 0 West 3‌match report West returned to winning ways to register their first win in seven games with a comprehensive but hard fought 3-0 win over Barnoldswick Town.

Manager Steve Settle made two changes from the side that had been denied three points at Congleton in mid-week with Scott Mason replacing Richmond Botchey whilst Jonny Poizer made his first start October 24th in place of the injured Ash Woods.

West started brightly and created the games first chance on three minutes when a ball over the top found Poizer who laid it off to Nic Evangelinos at the edge of the area; the winger found Ben Steer whose shot was well held by the Barnoldswick goalkeeper Jordan Gidley.

West's pressure continued and they took a deserved lead on seven minutes when Gary Lilley played a pass over the top of the defence for Poizer on to run on to, Gidley got caught in two minds whether to come out found himself in no mans land, as the young West striker calmly stroked it into the bottom right hand corner from the edge of the area.

West continued their early dominance as good one touch football from the impressive Matty Kay and Mark Rogers found Gary Lilley who forced a good save from the Barlick keeper low down to his left.

Barlick grew into the game however as they stepped up their pressure on the West goal, on 28 minutes they went close as Mark Threlfall capitalised on rare wasteful possession from West, lifting a shot over Hayden Buckley-Smith in the West goal but thankfully just wide of the post. Four minutes later Barlick went close again as Kay was called upon to block away a shot from the edge of the area. Barlick continued to press for an equaliser but headed over from a cross at the far post.

West countered and hit Barlick on the break as Evangelinos drove through the middle finding Kay whose first time pass fell into the path of Ben Steer but the young forward fired over.

Barlick continued to threaten as Matthew Simpson forced a good save from BuckleySmith heading low into the bottom corner from a cross to the far post. West might have gone

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Sat. 30th April

into the break two in front as a superb touch from Lilley turned his man, finding Steer whose shot forced a spectacular save from Gidley.

It was Barlick who started the quicker of the two teams in the second half as Scott Mason was called upon early to block a Barlick effort yet it should have been 2-0 as West countered with a long ball finding Poizer on the half way line one-on-one. He bided his time playing in Evangelinos who just had to hit the target but an untimely bobble saw him shank it into the housing behind the ground.

Luckily, West were not made to rue their missed chance as Poizer won the header from the resulting goal kick releasing Evangelinos one-on-one who made no mistake second time slotting in under the keeper after 48 minutes.

Five minutes later it was almost 3-0 as a superb West move down the right culminated in Steer playing a low pass inside to the penalty area with Kay striking it first time into the bottom corner, the keeper made an excellent save before a desperate block denied Kay with the rebound. From the corner it was only cleared as far as Matt Eckersley at the edge of the area who volleyed first time into the bottom left hand corner. It was the West centre backs fifth goal of the season and he celebrated in the dugout after his mid-week red card.

West almost made it four on the hour mark as a through ball from Kay found Poizer who cannoned his shot off the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten. On 72 minutes Mason went close as a ball across the box from Kay found the West full back at the far post but he could only hit the side netting.

The final 15 minutes were far from a formality as Barlick, playing for pride, continued to try and force themselves back into the game.with Threlfall again heading over from a free kick on 74 minutes. With six minutes remaining Buckley-Smith was again called into action saving low at his near post from Threlfall before making another good save from the resultant corner. Buckley-Smith was called into action a third time in stoppage time but West were able to secure their 10th clean sheet of the season to lift themselves back up to 6th,

West’s History… don’t miss the next publication…

33 years ago in 1983, Rob Turley produced a book documenting the history of our club, from its humble beginnings as a church team to one of the most successful and renowned amateur clubs in the Manchester area, playing matches all over the world; Spain, Switzerland, Isle of Man, Norway, Scotland and Wales to name a few and experiencing great success on the local football scene.

Now, Rob has passed over the history archives to our new club historian Jonny Keen who has been hard at work on an exciting new project for the club. We can proudly announce the publication of a new history book, fully updated to include the entirety of West Didsbury & Chorlton's history including our impressive rise through the football pyramid. The book includes the full story of our successes in the Manchester League, our journey into the North West Counties and forays into the FA Cup and FA Vase, as well as detailed information on the acquisition and development of our Brookburn Road ground.

Look out for further information on the website for when we will be holding a book launch at the ground - not to be missed by West fans!"

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Colne 0 West 0 …match report West fell to defeat at the hands of Colne who took one step towards the title with a 3- 0 win at the XLCR Stadium.

West manager Steve Settle faced a selection headache ahead of kick off as he was without Ash Woods, Captain Mark Rogers and Lee Gavin. In addition, goalkeeper Hayden Buckley-Smith was forced to play through the pain having suffered a dead leg in the weekend’s victory at Barnoldswick Town.

Settle was boosted however with the return of Joe Shaw to the starting line-up whilst Michael Simcock made his first start since August 22nd following knee surgery.

With the expectation upon them, it was not surprising that it was Colne who started brightly testing West with a pair of free kicks inside the first six minutes but Buckley-Smith was able to take them both cleanly.

West responded with half chances of their own as Joe Shaw fired wide from 30 yards on nine minutes before Scott Mason’s first time effort flew over from 35 yards on 10 minutes. West grew in confidence forcing further chances as Jonny Poizer volleyed a difficult chance just wide before a brilliantly whipped in corner from Nic Evangelinos had Colne keeper Nosakhare Aghayere scrambling to push it away from goal.

The game’s two big moments came three minutes apart as, on 31 minutes, Ben Steer whipped a low cross in from the left, Aghayere spilled into the path of Poizer who couldn’t react quickly enough and skied it over the bar from 6 yards out. Three minutes later West were punished fully for the miss as a quick Colne throw in on the left saw Ben Wharton

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Tuesday 3rd May play in Danny Boyle who gave Buckley-Smith no chance, finishing emphatically in the bottom left hand corner. It was a classic counter that had come slightly against the run of play with West having played much of the first half in the Colne final third.

West, limited to set pieces for the remainder of the half, twice went close a Simcock turned a free kick just wide of the post with a minute remaining in the first half before he launched a deep free kick to the far post where Matty Kay headed just wide.

West came out for the second half and immediately created again as Evangelinos found himself in space in front of goal but a horrible bobble saw him fire his shot into the car park. Colne responded themselves with a rapid counter attack which saw them fire just over the bar from just outside the penalty area.

With the game finally poised the second goal was always going to be significant and it was Colne who scored it on 53 minutes when Ben Wharton rose highest to a near post corner and nodded the ball home. From that point the game wielded few chances for either side as West, with one eye on Thursday game in mind replaced Simcock and Jonny Poizer with Paul Socha and Richmond Botchey.

Colne wrapped up the game in emphatic style with three minutes remaining as Wharton was able to turn from 30 yards out and power a hard effort into the bottom left hand corner to cap off an impressive performance. The scoreline was harsh on West but Colne might have made it 4-0 in stoppage time when Kenneth Taylor flashed a shot across goal and just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Colne v West …match action

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Our final game of the season

AFC Blackpool v WEST Saturday 7th May 3.00pm

Let’s get down and support the boys www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures - results – appearances – goalscorer

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: Z Istanbul £60 winner: R Turley- returned to club £40 winner: John C- returned to club

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History of AFC Blackpool AFC Blackpool was formed in 1947 under the name of Blackpool Metal Mechanics and played at Stanley Park for two years before moving to the current Jepson Way ground.

They played in local leagues before taking the step up to join the West Lancashire League.

During this period in local league football they won many awards, taking the Division Two title of the Fylde District League in 1950/51 and in Division One were champions twice and runners-up three times in five consecutive years between 1953/54 and 1957/58.

Numerous local cup competitions were also won, including the Lancashire Junior Shield in 1957/58, a competition they were to win again in 1960/61.

As the 50's drew to a close, Blackpool Mechanics decided to take the next step up and join the West Lancashire League. They were an almost immediate success, being runners-up in 1959/60 and champions for the next two seasons. Various cups and trophies from local competitions still regularly found their way to Jepson Way. The club then took another step up the football ladder by joining the Lancashire Combination.

The jump in standard meant the cups and honours that had poured into the trophy room dried up and it was not until the turn of the decade before many more honours were to come their way.

In 1972/73 they won the Lancashire Combination Bridge Shield and in 1974/75 they finished runners-up in the league, just one point behind champions Darwen.

They remained a strong team throughout the 70's although towards the end they suffered some poor results.

With the advent of the North West Counties League, Blackpool Mechanics were placed in Division Three and in 1985/86 were promoted to Division Two. At the end on 1991/92 they were promoted to Division One, but it was not a happy experience and the club returned to Division Two. After a few seasons of struggle, the club is now financially stable and looking forward to developing the club's potential both on and off the pitch.

In the summer of 2005 Blackpool Mechanics FC merged with Lytham St. Annes FC who had just won the West Lancashire League Division One title. Lytham St. Annes resigned from their own league and brought their resources and manpower to Jepson Way in a bid to launch the new look Mechanics in their push up the non-league football pyramid.

The club was re-named AFC Blackpool in May 2008 when Blackpool Mechanics FC and Squires Gate Junior FC got together to form one club. It was decided to mark the start of a new era by re-naming the club and the name 'AFC Blackpool' was chosen. The club leased a further piece of land adjacent to the ground in Jepson Way to accommodate the enlarged club and investment to improve the facilities was begun. The club ground in Jepson Way retains its name 'The Mechanics' to maintain a link with the past.

Season 2010/11 saw the club have probably its best season ever. The first team were promoted to the Premier Divison as Div.1 champions with a record breaking 28 wins and three draws in 34 league matches. They also reached the semi finals in both the 1st Divison Trophy and the League Cup. There were notable sucesses in the Junior section too with the under 16s doing the league and cup double, the under 10's and 11's winning their respective Divisions and the under 14s also winning promotion.

With the club now providing football from under 6 through to open age the future is looking secure.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

League News The League Management Committee is now in a position to issue a further update on applications from clubs wishing to join our league in season 2016-17.

PROMOTION APPLICATIONS FROM STEP 7 LEAGUES Charnock Richard of the West Lancashire League have passed the required grading inspection for promotion, and the NWCFL have recommended to the FA Technical Panel that the grading is approved.

Prestwich Heys of the Manchester League and Sandbach United of the Cheshire League have also passed the required grading inspection for promotion, and the NWCFL have recommended to the FA Technical Panel that the grading is approved in both instances, subject to floodlight grant approval from the Football Foundation.

Carlisle City of the Northern Football Alliance have passed the required grading inspection for promotion, and their League has notified the FA that they are prepared to release two Clubs for promotion Step 6. Carlisle City have informed the FA of their wish to be placed in the NWCFL and are currently in 4th position in their league. They are currently 11 points behind the other club that has applied for promotion from their league, Blyth Town, who are top of the table and have also passed their grading inspection.

Whitehaven Amateurs of the Wearside League have passed the required grading inspection, and their League has also notified the FA that they are prepared to release two Clubs for promotion to Step 6. Whitehaven Amateurs have informed the FA of their wish to be placed in the NWCFL, but are currently in 14thposition in their league and unlikely to finish higher than the other two applicants for promotion from the Wearside League, Stockton Town and Redcar Athletic, who also have passed their grading inspections.

ENQUIRY TO TRANSFER TO THE NWCFL Stone Old Alleynians FC of the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division (a Step 6 league) have notified the FA that they wish to transfer to the NWCFL. The club, who were formed in 1962, currently sit in 11th place in their league and play their home fixtures at Wellbeing Park, Yarnfield, a familiar venue to the NWCFL as it was the home ground of former member club Stone Dominoes. However, as Stone Old Alleynians missed the 31st March deadline for application as per National League System Regulation 6.2, they have been informed that their request to transfer to the NWCFL will be subject to an FA decision regarding the lateral movement of a club.

UPDATE ON APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP The situation is unchanged with regard to the two new clubs who applied to join the league, FC Oswestry Town and City of Liverpool FC. Both clubs will attend interviews with the FA at Wembley during April.

As stated previously, both FC Oswestry Town and City of Liverpool FC have been informed that the Football Association have the final say as to whether the Club/s will be placed in our Step 6 Division, and that this will be dependent on whether or not there are any vacancies, after promotion and relegation issues to and from Step 7 Leagues are settled.

Both City of Liverpool FC as a new club, and FC Oswestry Town, who play in a League outside the National League System, are to be treated in the same way.

A report in the Non-League Paper on Sunday that stated City of Liverpool FC would be playing in the NWCFL next season is incorrect at this stage.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Join the action next season

And support your local team‌ There will be a number of ways to get involved as a volunteer and support us both on and off the pitch as we strive to see West’s development programme continue.

If you or your company can help financially packages include:

Match Day Sponsorship - Programme Advertising - Pitch boards Match Ball Sponsors - Sponsoring a Seat - Sponsoring a shirt

For any information please talk to anyone on the committee, details are inside the front cover or ask behind the bar to be pointed in the right direction. www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Club news…

Presentation Night Saturday 14th May – Schedule: 3pm - Fun game spectators v 1st team 5pm - Food in the clubhouse 6pm - Karaoke and Play your cards right with Alan Dobson 8pm - Presentation of Awards Keep an eye on the website for final details.

Supporters

‘Player of the Year’ Submit your vote on slips available in the clubhouse.

Our new pitch panel sponsors Didsbury Blues pictured before our game against Maine Road…

L to R: Simon Clarke, Roger Herring, Steve Settle, John Calderbank, Jeff Ball & Glyn Meacher

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Today’s Match Sponsor…

Eckersley’s Plumbers & Locksmiths

A family run Plumbing and Locksmith company, based in Bolton.

Eckersley’s offer 24 hour emergency plumbing and locksmith services with a 1 hour response time and no call out fee! All of our work is guaranteed and carried out by a qualified and friendly engineer.

Covering all local areas of Bolton, Wigan and Manchester - No call centre Direct to an Engineer.

No VAT charges

Eckersley`s Garden Services Eckersley’s also provide garden services covering private and commercial work; please contact us for more details.

Tel:07510 449182 e-mail: phil.eckersley@hotmail.com Thank you to our Match Sponsor for the Maine Road game…

Didsbury Blues We owe a massive ‘thank you’ to Print On our print partners for the number of times they have dug us out of a hole to print our match programme in ridiculously short time scales…

Tel: 0161 428 5101

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Unit 2, Ashurst Drive, Lawnhurst Trading Estate, Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle SK3 0SD www.printonuk.co.uk

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

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL League Tables after games on Tuesday 3rd May

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Appearances and League attendance

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Premier Division Results this season

NWCFL Premier Division – Saturday 7th May 1874 Northwich v Colne AFC Blackpool v WEST AFC Darwen v Cammell Laird 1907 Ashton Athletic v Squires Gate Barnoldswick Town v Atherton Collieries Congleton Town v AFC Liverpool Maine Road v Alsager Town Padiham v Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town v Abbey Hey Silsden v Bootle

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

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

NWCFL Premier Division

Thursday 5 May 2016 West Didsbury & Chorlton

AFC Blackpool

White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

Tangerine Shirts, White Shorts & Tangerine Socks

Hayden Buckley-Smith (G) Paul Hughes (G) Sam Dee Callum Jones Matt Eckersley Scott Mason Mark Rodgers Š Anthony Potts Paul Socha Richmond Botchey Gary Lilley Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Nic Evangelinos Ashley Woods Joe Shaw Ben Steer

Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Adam Caunce Matthew Richardson Stephen Betteridge Lewis Masters Kevan Ford Paul Carroll Marc Taylor Charlie Waters Mark Thornber Richard Seear Jack Williams Aaron Fleming Matthew Muscroft Aran Bottomley Danny Green Benjamin Seear

Manager: Stuart Parker Assistant:

OFFICIALS Referee: John Ass Baines www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk Assistant Referees: Kieran Johnson & Lewis Raper