2012/13 SEASON
PROGRAMME ÂŁ1.50
Main club sponsor:
First Division Saturday, 9 February 2013
v AFC Darwen
WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC Club President Brian Cripps
First Team Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Manager: Steve Eckersley
Chairman Glyn Meacher 07543 715784
Reserve Team Manager: Robert Madden 07730 655446 Asst Managers: Jim Hines & Shay Casey
Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441
Physio First Team: Winston Luke Reserves: Neha Chhabra
Membership Secretary Monica Creer 0161 881 1135
Club Coach Kris Mahon
Treasurer Dave Cooper 07961 063195
‘A’ Team Manager Chris Argent 07962 352619
Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley 07788 112909
Vets Manager Sam Hickey 07980 521988
Community Development Davy Iredale
Programme Production & Web John Churchman 07720 508082
ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR SPONSOR Join our growing list of sponsors, we have packages to suit your budget including:
THE CLUB
● Match Day Sponsor ● Player Kit Sponsor ● Pitch Advertising (3-year period) ● Programme Advertising
LIST
£100 £50 £250 per season £50 - £100
200
The 200 club is a vital source of income and is open to anyone. A monthly standing order payment of £2 entitles one entry into the monthly £200 of prizes to be won. If you are interested in joining please contact Brian, Rob or Monica or ask for a form in the club house. The sooner you complete a form and enter the draw the sooner you could win.
Editorial
9th February 2013 – AFC Darwen
A belated but none the less Happy New Year to one and all as we return to league action at Brookburn Road after several weeks of disruption. Today we welcome Darwen to Brookburn Road for the first time following our previous encounter in the League way back in mid-August. That was a tight game which Darwen won 2-0 and since then they have been at the top of the table setting the pace this season. However, we played very well at Darwen and were unfortunate not to have taken something from that game so today is a further chance to see how far we have progressed as a team and particularly in the wake of the disappointing second half performance away at Ashton Town in the cup last week. Darwen have also greatly improved their clubhouse and bar facilities and this has contributed to them also having the best attendances so far this season, nudging us into second place in the attendance table. WET WET WET The end of December and early January has seen 6 consecutive fixtures disrupted by the weather since our last home game against Cheadle Town on 15th December. Our Boxing Day fixture against Leek was abandoned which was a particular disappointment as we had worked hard to get the pitch into a playable condition and all looked well after an early morning inspection. However the constant rain in the hour before kickoff and throughout the first half left the referee no alternative but to abandon the game at half time. The weather also beat us when due to play Irlam and Ashton Town as the pitch was very heavy in two areas where the ball just would not bounce. An early inspection at Formby also saw that away game called off and the last weekend of January saw every NWC game off due to snow and ice. We have tried to keep fit with weekly training and also managed to slot in a friendly against Salford City from the Northern Premier League when the strength in depth of our squad was very evident. We have now played precisely half our league fixtures and have 17 league games remaining. This means several rearranged games to fit into the calendar as we have to complete all our games by 30th April as required by the League and the FA. The League Fixtures Secretary has an unenviable task in trying to sort out who plays when over the next 3 months and we will provide an update via the programme and the website as revised dates are issued. The postponed home game against Ashton Town will now be played on Saturday 23rd February, after our away Challenge cup game at premier division Bootle. We host Chadderton at home her next Tuesday 12th Feb at 7.45pm and the abandoned Boxing Day game v. Leek will now be replayed on Tuesday 26th March. 2012 IN BRIEF Inside today’s programme we have a brief look back at some milestones in 2012. It is both remarkable and really encouraging to see just how far the club has progressed over the past year due to a lot of hard work both on and off the field. This time last year we were awaiting news of our application to join ‘The Counties’ [NWCFL] and looking back over the events of recent seasons we are indebted to Andy, Steve and Rob, the backroom support team and all the first and reserve team squad together with so many people who have supported our efforts and promotion. We are delighted with our progress during this first half of our first season in the Counties and thank everyone who has supported us regularly in recent months. We are trying to patiently build a genuine community club and will have more news next month of our plans for next season. In the meantime we look forward with anticipation to what the next few months has in store and to getting through at least 18 games in 12 weeks! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT – ENJOY THE GAME TODAY.
Rob Turley WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
View from the Dugout It seems a long time since we commented on a football game! (which was a thoroughly deserved and convincing 4 – 0 win against a strong Cheadle Town side) in our programme notes for the Boxing Day game against Leek CSOB. What was then looking like a really busy period of games turned into a washout as first our away game against Eccleshall was postponed, then the Boxing Day game which was initially given the all clear after a great effort by our grounds man, was abandoned at half time due to heavy rain which started about an hour before kickoff and continued throughout the first half. We did see an entertaining first half which ended 2-2, however, the state of the pitch was clearly affecting the game this was seen with second goal we conceded, when the ball didn’t run truly as we tried to play football across the back four and we paid the price as it slowed down on the pitch. Two more days of rain followed so it was no surprise that our home against Irlam was postponed, with no improvement to the weather we have now seen a catalogue of postponements starting with the first home game in 2013 against Ashton Town, our away game against Formby, followed by our next two home games against Eccleshall and Chadderton. But finally we played last weekend against Ashton Town away; this resulted in a 3-1 defeat which was disappointing as our second half performance let us down. With all the postponements this is our first chance to wish you a prosperous New Year, we look forward to seeing you at our home games in 2013.
Andy Nelson and Steve Eckersley
Today’s Match day Sponsor… A big thank you to Rob Madden and Costcutter Convenience Store, 54 Sandy Lane, Chorlton. Our match sponsors today. Rob also sponsored our abandoned game against Leek on Boxing Day, so we are pleased to have the support of Rob again today. Serving the community for the last 22 years with Newspapers, Magazines, Groceries, Wines, Spirits, Lottery, and other Household Essentials are proud to sponsor West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC
We are now looking for match sponsors in the remaining home matches. The sponsorship package costs £100 and includes: 4 match day tickets; Pre-match drinks; Half-time refreshments and an advert in the match day programme. Please refer to the full page advert later in the programme for more information on sponsorship.
Interested in sponsoring one of our mat WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
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.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
FIRST TEAM – FIXTURES – RESULTS and GOALSCORERS Date KO H/A AUGUST 2012 Sat Aug 4 3.00 H Wed Aug 8 7.45 A Sat Aug 11 3.00 A Tues Aug 14 7.45 H Sat Aug 18 3.00 A SEPTEMBER Sat Sept 1 3.00 H Tues Sept 4 7.45 A Sat Sept 8 3.00 A Sat Sept 15 3.00 H Wed Sept 19 7.45 A Sat Sept 22 3.00 A Sat Sept 29 3.00 H OCTOBER Sat Oct 6 3.00 H Tues Oct 9 7.45 A Sat Oct 20 3.00 H Sat Oct 27 3.00 H NOVEMBER Sat Nov 3 3.00 A Sat Nov 10 3.00 H Sat Nov 17 3.00 A Sat Nov 24 3.00 H DECEMBER Sat Dec 1 3.00 A Sat Dec 15 3.00 H JANUARY 2013 - No games FEBRUARY Sat Feb 2 3.00 A Sat Feb 9 3.00 H Tues Feb 12 7.45 H Sat Feb 16 3.00 A Sat Feb 23 3.00 H Tues Feb 26 7.45 H MARCH Sat Mar 2 7.45 A Tues Mar 12 7.45 H Sat Mar 16 3.00 H Sat Mar 23 3.00 A Tues Mar 26 7.45 H Sat Mar 30 3.00 H APRIL Mon Apr 1 3.00 A Sat Apr 6 3.00 H Wed Apr 10 7.45 A Sat Apr 13 3.00 H Mon Apr 22 19.45 A Sat Apr 27 3.00 A
Opposition
Score Scorers
Formby Chadderton Oldham Boro Northwich Villa AFC Darwen
2–3 3–0 4–2 1–1 0–2
Beckford, Walsh Potts, Walsh (2) Aston, C Jones, Walsh, Beckford Baird
FA - V
1–3 2–1 1–4 4–1 2–2 2–3 3-0
Bryant Shillito, Bryant Bryant Kilbride, Summers, Shillito L. Schofield, C Jones L. Schofield, Malkin L. Schofield, Baldwin, Walsh
Eccleshall LCC 1st Rd Bamber Bridge LCT Rochdale Town Norton United LCC 2nd Rd
4-0 1-3 2-0 3-1
Aston, S Jones, Baldwin, Walsh Summers Baldwin (2) Malkin, L. Schofield, Walsh
Northwich Villa Abbey Hey Daisy Hill Atherton LR
0-2 2-1 1-0 2 -0
C. Schofield, M Woodcock Potts Summers. Aston (pen)
1-1 4-0
Baldwin Walsh, S. Jones, Thomas, Malkin
1-3
Aston
Cheadle Town Leek CSOB Atherton LR Oldham Boro Nelson Cheadle Town Holker Old Boys
FDT 2nd Rd
Irlam Cheadle Town
Ashton Town AFC Darwen Chadderton Bootle Ashton Town Eccleshall
FDT Q-Final
LCC 2nd Rd
Holker Old Boys Irlam Atherton Collieries Abbey Hey Leek CSOB Daisy Hill Rochdale Town Atherton LR Eccleshall Nelson Atherton Collieries Ashton Town
FA V = FA Vase FDT= First Div Trophy LCC = League Challenge Cup LCT = Lancashire Challenge Trophy
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
CLUB NEWS… Club Helpers Our club is dependent on the time and effort of volunteer helpers who act as club officials, manage and staff the bar and clubhouse on match days, produce the match day programme and undertake a host of other tasks around the clubhouse and grounds. Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please contact us at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com
Follow us on Twitter Our username is WD_CFC (picture of club badge) please follow us and re tweet information so as many people see it as possible.
Club merchandise Watch this space for further information on club merchandise; you will soon have the chance to buy club ties, club pin badges, mugs, scarves, beanie hats and key rings.
This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 Lloyd Evans £60 Nathan Wakelam £40 Chris Stevens The next draw is on Monday 4th March so get a form and get signed up by the end of the month if you want to have the chance of a cash prize.
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
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing pictures used on the website and in the programme WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Our visitors… AFC Darwen THE FORMATION OF AFC DARWEN At the end of the 2008/2009 season Darwen Football Club ceased to exist after the club was wound up due to bad debts. One of the previous owners had systematically destroyed the club financially but, also discredited its reputation within the town which resulted in lower attendances and a reduction in the number of volunteers that gave up their valuable time to help keep the club running. With debts in excess of £60.000 it was inevitable that the club could not survive; fortunately the team managed to fulfil all of their fixtures in the 2008/09 season before the club was wound up. It was decided that Darwen still had the desire to field a town team, and although various people had left the club; meetings began to take place to discuss the future of Darwen Football Club. Derek Slater, former club secretary and reserve team manager of Darwen FC, had already set the ball rolling by forming AFC Darwen, a not for profit organisation. The lease was then secured back from the local council and AFC Darwen rose from the ashes. THE WEST LANCASHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE The F.A. instructed that AFC Darwen would start life at step 6 in the football pyramid, so their inaugural season began in the West Lancashire Football League. The aim of the club was to gain its place back in the North West Counties League, and go on to compete at a higher level. The club now had a good solid foundation, with 13 youth teams representing the club; which out of those 10 played on a Sunday in the East Lancashire Alliance and 3 teams competed on a Saturday in the Accrington and District Football League. With the age range from 7 to 15 year olds and with new teams to follow the infrastructure of the club was in a sound position to move forward. The club is now in the hands of people that live and breathe football, but more importantly understand what it takes to run a club at this level. AFC Darwen’s first ever competitive game took place at the Anchor ground on Saturday 11th July 2009 in a pre-season friendly against AFC Liverpool from the North West Counties League. With Darwen winning 3-0 things looked bright for the future. With high expectations of a good season AFC Darwen soon realised that life in the West Lancashire football league wasn’t going to be easy. Results over the first few games were inconsistent up until October 2009, after which the team went on a disastrous run of 8 straight defeats. With the realisation that the team was not progressing as expected, it was decided that a change in the management team was required. The difficult decision to replace Dennis Hill was made and Kenny Langford took over the reins as the first team manager. Results immediately picked up and although the title was out of reach, at least the team could push on and try and finish in a respectable position. AFC Darwen finished 8th, with a record of 13 wins, 3 draws and 14 defeats, goals scored 42, conceded 54. THE NORTH WEST COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUE. At the end of the 2009/10 season AFC Darwen gained re-election back into the North West Counties Football League after achieving the required ground grading standards to compete at that level. The main aim of the club back in the NWCFL was to steady the ship and cement their place in the league. AFC Darwen finished 13th,, with a record of 9 wins, 10 draws and 12 defeats, goals scored 37, conceded. 62. A respectable position for their first season the senior and junior sides.. It was decided that Kenny Langford would become the sole director of AFC Darwen. The structural change resulted in Kenny taking over the day to day running of the club, and the responsibility for the first and reserve teams. This allowed Derek the time to focus on the development of the junior teams within the club. During the close season before the start of the 2012/13 campaign the structure of the club changed. Due to personal reasons and business commitments Derek Slater decided that he could no longer run both.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First team match report… Saturday 2nd February: Ashton Town 3 WEST 1 – First Division Trophy Qtr Final West travelled to high flying Ashton Town for the first competitive fixture since Boxing Day and for the first 45 minutes the two sides were evenly matched with no clear cut chances at either end and both keepers and spectators trying hard to keep warm on a bitterly cold afternoon despite the February sunshine. West kept possession and shape well in the opening 10 minutes and then Ashton gradually came into the game as both sides probed for weaknesses. The first attempt at goal from either side was after 15 minutes when the Ashton 7 shot well wide after a first attempt was blocked. West had a meager two attempts at goal from distance in the opening period. Lewis Schofield shot wide from the edge of the area on 20 minutes after creating space for a shot by a clever dummy of his marker, before Lee Shillito was also wide of the mark from 20 yards as the Ashton keeper scrambled across his goal line. Ashton then had a free kick from a dangerous position after an untimely Potts challenge but this was defended well by the resolute West defence. Half time came with both club’s officials deep in debate about whether there had in fact been any incidents of note during a pretty even first half. West had the first chance of the second period when Anthony Potts suddenly found himself on the edge of the Ashton area but his shot was saved well by home keeper Brabin. 5 minutes into the second half Ashton capitalized when Callum Schofield was caught in possession near the corner flag by forward Boyle who then progressed along the goal line before pulling the ball back towards the penalty spot. Ben Simpson made a terrific stop from the first effort but the rebound was cracked home off the underside of the bar by Ashton’s Pollard. This unexpected gift goal lifted Ashton who then played with much more purpose and pace as the contest became more open. After 57 minutes Gareth Thomas and Tre Baldwin Willis came on for Tommy Walsh and Lee Shillito and then, on the hour, Ashton nearly increased their lead when a shot from close range flashed just wide. A couple of minutes later however, another Boyle effort from 18 yards took a cruel deflection to leave Simpson helpless and make it 2-0. On 65 minutes West had a good build up and man over in a dangerous position but Callum Jones strayed offside and then 5 minutes later his day got worse with a yellow card for bouncing the ball in frustration at the assistant referees decision. Just a minute later and West’s day got worse when Callum Schofield brought down Boyle just inside the box and the aptly named Smart made it 3-0 from the penalty. Harry Bockarie then replaced the injured Summers after 73 minutes and quickly got in the action with a shot which was deflected by the keeper. Lewis Schofield then created another opening for himself and brought a fine save from keeper Brabin with Bockarie firing the rebound high and wide with the goal gaping. West kept trying to play a passing game and in the final minute a consolation goal arrived when Mike Aston forced the ball home from close range after good work by Thomas on the right wing. Ashton were good value for the win for their determined second half performance when they played at a high tempo and constantly caused the West defence problems by hitting long diagonal passes into the corners and then supporting attacks in numbers. Although the three goals came from a couple of mistakes and a cruel deflection West will look back on a game when we created very few chances against a very solid home defence.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
NWCFL 2012-2013 Division One Fixtures - 9th February Ashton Town v Irlam Atherton Collieries v Daisy Hill Cheadle Town v Formby Holker Old Boys v Eccleshall Leek CSOB v Chadderton Nelson v Oldham Boro Northwich Villa v Atherton LR Rochdale Town v Abbey Hey West Didsbury & Chorlton v AFC Darwen
West Reserve team fixtures: New Mills Reserves, 9 February, (A) 3.00pm Wigan Robin Park, 16 February, (H) 3.00pm Irlam, 23 February, (A) 3.00pm
NWCFL recent landmarks and news… Maine Road – Eddie Moran has returned to training as he continues his rehabilitation after suffering a fracture of his tibia and fibia at Barnoldswick on 13th October, an incident which led to the FA Vase tie being abandoned. We wish Eddie a speedy recovery. Hat tricks – the Twitter feed from Congleton Town (@CongletonFC) came up with an “NWCFL Anorak fact of the day”. There have been 35 hat tricks scored by Premier Division players this season in league and cup competitions, including 3 players who have scored 4 goals in a game - John Marsden of Stockport Sports (against Norton United on 22nd September), Jason Hart of Colne (at AFC Blackpool on 20th October) and Jason’s team mate Dominic Craig of Colne (at Stone Dominoes on 17th November). Anthony Pilkington – six years after plying his trade in the NWCFL with Atherton Collieries, the Norwich City striker called up for international duty by the Republic of Ireland for their game with Poland on 6th February at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. AFC Darwen - Club captain John Leeming and his partner Vicki Hindle will be departing for Australia on the 8th February. They have a twelve month travelling visa, and will fly out to Brisbane and travel throughout Asia. Club webmaster Steve McKelvey said: "John will be missed massively by the club as he has continuously given his all this season.”
December Awards Player and Goalkeeper of the Month Premier Division Player: Michael Ellison Runcorn Ellison Goalkeeper: Sean Davis Padiham Division One Player: Kevin Pollard Ashton Town Goalkeeper: Nathan Brabin Ashton Town (Note: no awards in January due to weather wipe out)
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Division One Table Tables accurate after 2nd February games
Home P
W
D
L
F
Away A
W
D L
F
A
GD Pts
1.
AFC Darwen
19 7
0
1 22
9
6
1 4 32
23
22 40
2. 3. 4.
Ashton Town Abbey Hey Atherton Collieries
18 7 16 7 16 5
1 0 0
0 30 3 21 2 25
9 10 15
5 4 5
1 4 24 1 1 19 2 2 19
11 4 14
34 38 26 34 15 32
5.
Oldham Boro
20 4
4
2 14
14
5
0 5 25
18
7
6. 7.
Cheadle Town Formby West Didsbury & Chorlton Chadderton
19 6 11 5
3 0
1 24 1 21
15 9
3 5
1 5 13 0 0 23
19 9
3 31 26 30
17 5
1
1 18
6
4
2 4 16
17
11 30
15 5
2
4 19
24
2
1 1 13
7
1
24
10. Rochdale Town
16 2
1
4
6
15
4
2 3 20
16
-5
21
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
19 15 19 18 20 18 19 15
2 1 1 1 3 3 3 0
3 3 5 5 6 8 5 5
11 16 12 13 17 18 14 9
12 14 20 21 22 40 21 19
3 1 3 1 2 2 2 2
2 2 2 4 2 2 1 0
33 19 31 13 19 12 24 21
-14 -6 -25 -13 -14 -24 -20 -24
19 18 18 17 17 14 13 12
D 5
L 2
F 42
A GD Pts 24 18 26
2 5 0 6 2 2 2 3 1 5 2 7 4 3 1 6 1 6 1 9 1 11 2 9
42 27 35 23 29 25 27 24 24 23 24 20
33 9 26 28 -1 24 18 17 23 11 12 23 30 -1 22 20 5 20 20 7 19 30 -6 16 26 -2 15 36 -13 13 36 -12 10 53 -33 8
8. 9.
Leek CSOB Nelson Northwich Villa Atherton LR Irlam Eccleshall Daisy Hill Holker Old Boys
2 4 2 3 2 1 1 2
7 4 6 4 5 2 7 6
20 11 14 8 10 10 11 7
31
NWCFL Reserves Table 1.
Padiham
P W 14 7
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Wigan Robin Park Cheadle Town New Mills Irlam Barnoldswick Town Glossop North End Runcorn Linnets Nelson Ashton Town * Silsden West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Darwen
15 14 11 12 13 15 12 12 12 14 15 13
8 8 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 4 3 2
*Point deducted for breach of rule
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
Shirt Number Sponsors…
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
North West Counties Football League First Division Saturday 9th February 2013
Today’s squads
West Didsbury & Chorlton White shirts, black shorts & socks
Ben Simpson (gk) Callum Jones Scott Jones David Kilbride-Ratcliffe Anthony Potts Callum Schofield Harry Bockarie Mike Aston (Capt) Danny Summers Mark Woodcock Gareth Thomas Lee Malkin Tommy Walsh Steve Settle Tre Baldwin Willis Lewis Shillito Lewis Schofield
Manager: Andy Nelson Assistant: Steve Eckersley
AFC Darwen Red/White shirts, red shorts & red socks
Olly Telford Anthony Harkness Tim Drugan Matt Taylor Martin Parker Kiel Lonsdale John Leeming Steve Lee Karl Turner Anthony Hodges Jonny Hession Lee Turner Ryan Steele Thomas Entwistle Bobby Langford Gary Brown Kieran Wood Danny Fradd (gk) Ashley Jones Manager: Kenny Langford Assistant: Nick Lloyd
OFFICIALS Referee: Andrew Worthington Assistants: Graham Andrew & Stephen Jones NEXT HOME GAME: Tuesday, 12th February, 2013 – Kick-off:7.45pm
WEST v Chadderton
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WHAT’S OUR
STORY?
Newly elected North West Counties League side West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, have come a long way in their 105 year history which began back in 1908 when the club was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. by Mr R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury. West first played in the Manchester Alliance League until the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918). After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and had to change its name to West Didsbury AFC, as the League did not permit association with any other body. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A and stayed in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first honours were double runners up in Div 1 and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23, and the club remained in that league until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way. Many of the current committee were players in that league. The club played at Christie Playing Fields from before 1914 but had to relocate when given notice to quit by the Playing Fields Society in the mid 80’s when that body decided to sell the land for commercial gain. After several years nomadic existence the club kicked off the 1997-98 season at their splendid new home at The Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road, and began to develop a vision for a community club. This was down to the hard work of a core of players and Committee who refused to let the club fold and secured the new facilities via a Lottery grant, new sponsors and fundraising, but without a penny of help from the Playing Fields Society proceeds. Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect our new location in Chorlton and we were elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 Season West won Manchester League silverware for the first time, lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of our centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final.
With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, who had previously managed at Leigh RMI, the 2009/10 season was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield, (the third consecutive year we have been in the final) and finishing runners-up in the league. The second team 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 points total (65 points out of 72 possible). This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in the history of the Manchester League dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final. The clubs ‘A’ team finished and the Youth team reached yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills. The Veterans were runners up in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans League and then started a second veterans team such was the interest in the club. Plans were also made to formally integrate junior football as the club Vision is to be a FA Charter Standard Community Club in every sense. In recent seasons several players who started at West have been signed by top non league clubs, but such is the spirit of the club that many players return to what they see as a family club. The club now looks forward to fulfilling its ambition to play at the highest possible level it can whilst continuing to be run as a community club and transition to the NWCFL. The ground and facilities have been further improved and floodlights erected to meet grading requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club. The club was duly elected to the NWCFL at the AGM on 16th June 2012.
MATCH DAY‌
CLUB INFO To contact the club please use the club website. West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville, Manchester, M21 8FF
Keep up to date with the latest information on your club...
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/