2012/13 SEASON
PROGRAMME ÂŁ1.50
Main club sponsor:
First Division Saturday, 16 March, 2013
v Atherton Collieries
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
16th March 2013 – Atherton Collieries
We’ve had a welcome break from midweek fixtures since last Saturday which come at a time when we’ve been struggling to keep everyone fit. We’ve had a run of unfortunate injuries in the past month ranging from the tragic break suffered by Alex Baird at Formby to the more niggling hamstring pulls and calf strains sustained against Nelson. We are fortunate to have the excellent services of Winston and Neeha as our physios and they have been working overtime on the treatment table with the mounting numbers of injuries. The remaining weeks of the season will test our capabilities and strength in depth to the full and last weekend the Nelson game was a real end to end encounter as we fought off a valiant young Nelson team to gain another valuable 3 points. We welcome Atherton Collieries today for our first encounter of this season in what promises to be another close game given our respective league positions. Last year we played there pre-season and this year we’ve also played Oldham Boro there as they currently ground share at Alder Lane. More about the Colls inside this issue but interestingly their recent local ‘flat cap’ derby against Atherton LR saw one of the biggest divisional crowds this season when over 150 witnessed a competitive 1-1 draw 10 days ago. Last weekend was another draw, this time 0-0 with Leek CSOB so another tight game is in prospect this afternoon. A warm welcome to the ‘Colls’ players, officials and supporters. THE LONGEST GAME In last week’s programme I mentioned the longest day with our travels to Barrow and also the long Monday when we won at Formby. Last Saturday the home game against Nelson was the longest league game ever seen at Brookburn Road with the second half starting at 4pm and finishing after 4.55pm. This was because 10 minutes were added time for substitutes and injuries making this our first ever 100+ minutes game. In addition Tommy Walsh’s 88th minute winner was our 50th goal in the NWCFL and it seems a long time ago since Liam Beckford scored the first in the opening game against Formby. THE FINAL COUNTDOWN We now have 10 games left split equally home and away and including today’s game. Since last week some fixtures have been rearranged and you can find the revised schedule inside the programme. The League’s decision to move the Irlam game from last Tuesday night has given us a little more recovery time this week particularly with our mounting numbers of ‘walking wounded’. The remaining schedule is still a tough but it is good to have a clear target to aim for as we know that if we can manage a top 4 finish we will earn a guaranteed FA Cup place next season. Our application for both the FA Cup and FA Vase has been submitted and acknowledged by the FA Competitions Dept. so we have to stay competitive through to the end of April and then wait for the draw for both competitions in late June. It would be a fantastic achievement to win a place in the FA Cup next year as just reward for all the hard work by the players and management staff on the pitch and the Committee’s investment in developing our ground and clubhouse as quality facilities. Next Saturday is another toughie as we travel to play Abbey Hey in Gorton, before coming back here on Tuesday 26th at 7.45pm when we face Leek CSOB in the rearranged fixture following the match abandoned on Boxing Day. Over the Easter period we host Daisy Hill here on Sat 30 th at 3pm and then go off to Rochdale Town, Castleton, on Easter Monday at 3pm. If anyone is interested in joining our increasing number of ‘away’ supporters and needs transport then please have a word with me or anyone on the Committee. After last Saturdays 5 goal thriller we look forward to another exciting afternoon today ENJOY THE GAME AND CLUBHOUSE REFRESHMENTS. Rob Turley Thanks to Mike Fryer for providing photos we use on the web and in the programme .
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
View from the Dugout It’s been good to take a breather this week after a quick flurry of games in the last few weeks. The Nelson game had the potential to be a case of ‘after the lord mayors show’ following our Formby & Holker exploits. However it was a testament to the players of both their commitment and fitness levels that we kept going until the very end to secure the victory. Victory at home to Nelson meant our 5th league win in a row as we welcome one of the leagues other form sides, Atherton Collieries. Atherton also find themselves at the right end of the table with ourselves and will be confident of a positive result today. It is sure to be a fascinating game. We welcome the players, officials and supporters of Atherton Collieries. We hope you enjoy today’s game. Andy Nelson and Steve Eckersley
Todays 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. No VAT charges. Covering all local areas of Bolton, Wigan and Manchester, no call centre, direct to an engineer. LEAKS & BURSTS, TANKS & OVERFLOWS, TOILETS & TAPS, RADIATORS & PIPES, PUMPS & VALVES, BLOCKAGES, SHOWERS, BATHROOMS, OUTSIDE TAPS, LOCKS OPENED, REPAIRED, REPLACED OR FITTED, LEADING UPVC DOOR LOCK SPECIALISTS, LOCK UPGRADES, ALL LOCKS BRITISH STANDARD INSURANCE APPROVED
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 Opposition Score Scorers AUGUST 2012 Sat Aug 4 3.00 H Formby 2–3 Beckford, Walsh Wed Aug 8 7.45 A Chadderton 3–0 Potts, Walsh (2) Sat Aug 11 3.00 A Oldham Boro 4–2 Aston, C Jones, Walsh, Beckford Tues Aug 14 7.45 H Northwich Villa 1–1 Baird Sat Aug 18 3.00 A AFC Darwen 0–2 SEPTEMBER Sat Sept 1 3.00 H Cheadle Town FA - V 1–3 Bryant Tues Sept 4 7.45 A Leek CSOB 2–1 Shillito, Bryant Sat Sept 8 3.00 A Atherton LR 1–4 Bryant Kilbride-Ratcliffe, Walsh, Summers, Shillito Sat Sept 15 3.00 H Oldham Boro 4–1 Wed Sept 19 7.45 A Nelson 2–2 L. Schofield, C Jones Sat Sept 22 3.00 A Cheadle Town 2–3 L. Schofield, Malkin Sat Sept 29 3.00 H Holker Old Boys 3-0 L. Schofield, Baldwin, Walsh OCTOBER Sat Oct 6 3.00 H Eccleshall LCC 1st Rd 4-0 Aston, S Jones, Baldwin, Walsh Tues Oct 9 7.45 A Bamber Bridge LCT 1-3 Summers Sat Oct 20 3.00 H Rochdale Town 2-0 Baldwin (2) Sat Oct 27 3.00 H Norton United LCC 2nd Rd 3-1 Malkin, L. Schofield, Walsh NOVEMBER Sat Nov 3 3.00 A Northwich Villa 0-2 Sat Nov 10 3.00 H Abbey Hey 2-1 C. Schofield, M Woodcock Sat Nov 17 3.00 A Daisy Hill 1-0 Potts Sat Nov 24 3.00 H Atherton LR FDT 2nd Rd 2 -0 Summers. Aston (pen) DECEMBER Sat Dec 1 3.00 A Irlam 1-1 Baldwin Sat Dec 15 3.00 H Cheadle Town 4-0 Walsh, S. Jones, Thomas, Malkin Wed Dec 26 3.00 H Leek CSOB A-A Sat Dec 29 3.00 H Irlam P-P JANUARY 2013 – No games FEBRUARY Sat Feb 2 3.00 A Ashton Town FDT Q-Final 1-3 Aston Sat Feb 9 3.00 H AFC Darwen 2-3 OG, Aston (pen) Tues Feb 12 7.45 H Chadderton 3-2 Shillito, S. Jones, Walsh Sat Feb 16 3.00 A Bootle LCC 2nd Rd 1-2 S. Jones Sat Feb 23 3.00 H Ashton Town 1–1 C. Jones Tues Feb 26 7.45 H Eccleshall 3-1 OG, S. Jones (2) MARCH Sat Mar 2 7.45 A Holker Old Boys 3-1 Malkin, Walsh, Baldwin Mon Mar 4 7.45 A Formby 1-0 Malkin Sat Mar 9 3.00 H Nelson 3-2 Kilbride-Ratcliffe, Malkin, Walsh Sat Mar 16 3.00 H Atherton Collieries Sat Mar 23 3.00 A Abbey Hey Tues Mar 26 7.45 H Leek CSOB Sat Mar 30 3.00 H Daisy Hill APRIL Mon Apr 1 3.00 A Rochdale Town Sat Apr 6 3.00 H Atherton LR Wed Apr 10 7.45 A Eccleshall Sat Apr 13 3.00 H Irlam Sat Apr 20 3.00 A Ashton Town Mon Apr 22 19.45 A Atherton Collieries 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 and Facebook Our username is WD_CFC (picture of club badge)
www.facebook.com/groups/westdidsburychorlton/
Quiz Night Don’t miss our Quiz Night tonight, please arrive at 6.00pm for a 6.15pm start in the clubhouse.
This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 A Cooper £60 Jamie Harkness £40 Miguel Garcia The next draw is on Monday 8th April 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/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Our visitors‌ Atherton Collieries Atherton Collieries Football Club was established in 1916 by miners from the six pits which were then operative within the old urban district of Atherton. Between 1919 and 1965 they were winners of the Bolton Combination League ten times. They established a noted reputation in Lancashire and by 1964-65 had won the Lancashire Junior Shield six times, a record which is still unsurpassed. They are affectionately nicknamed `The Welfare`, `The Miners` or `Sooty`. They play at Alder Street and the much maligned, but recently demolished, main stand was described in David Baukham`s book Dugouts as leaning forward as if in prayer for its continued survival. They joined the Lancashire Combination Division Two in 1950 before leaving in 1952 to play again in the Bolton Combination. They rejoined the Lancashire Combination in 1971 before becoming founder members of the Cheshire County League Division Two in 1978-79. They joined the North West Counties League as founder members in 1982-83, winning the third division in 1986-87. Steady progress off the pitch, with floodlights being erected in 1994, was matched by progress on the pitch as Colls` final league position improved season on season. This culminated in promotion to the first division after finishing the 1995-96 season as runners-up to Vauxhall GM. Colls have suffered mixed fortunes during their tenure in Division One. Their best season came in 2006-07 when they finished in seventh place under Phil Brown. During 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons Anthony Pilkington made 35 appearances for the club scoring 19 goals. He subsequently has played for Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Norwich City. The club were relegated at the end of the 2008/09 campaign and the club are looking for promotion from a rather competitive division. The current manager is Steve Pilling. In 2010/11 the club won their first NWCFL silverware for decades when AFC Liverpool were beaten 3-2 (aet) in the First Division Trophy Final. Season 2011/12 saw the club finish fourth in Division One but another trophy was added to the honours board. The Bolton Hospital Cup was won for the first time in twenty five years with a penalty shootout triumph over Eagley. The Reebok final had ended 2-2. The club are endeavouring to improve the Alder House ground. Year in year out the money has been spent repairing damage done by local `wreckers` rather than being able to upgrade existing facilities. Colls are proud to have been in the NWCFL since its inception and are looking forward to playing in the 30th anniversary campaign.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First team report…
Saturday 9th March: WEST 3 Nelson 2
West recorded another hard earned victory over a youthful and determined Nelson side and were grateful for 3 points in the end when for a long time it looked like we’d have to settle for one. The opening stages brought some end to end flowing football from both teams and after a couple of early close shaves West went 1-0 ahead after 8 minutes when Daniel Kilbride connected with a hard low corner to score at the second attempt from close range as the ball rebounded off the keeper. The lead was short lived and 3 minutes later Nelson levelled when a poor clearing header went back across the West area only to be returned with interest hard and low across the 6 yard box leaving Nelson’s Nat Taylor to level on the goal line at the back post. On 17 minutes Nelson 9 Brandon Barski made a determined run towards goal only to shoot wide of Simpson’s left hand post. West replied with a similar run, and shot from Tre Willis with the same result. Both defences were being tested and after 27 minutes Nelson almost went ahead when Barski’s cross shot was dipping just under the bar but Ben Simpson finger tipped the ball onto the bar and behind for a corner. 5 minutes later a Lee Shillito run set up Scott Jones whose cross found Lee Malkin whose shot deflected for a corner. This was quickly followed by another corner which just wouldn’t fall quickly enough for Steve Settle after 33 minutes and at the break there was nothing to separate the two teams at 1-1. Callum Schofield replaced the injured Aston at half time and on 48 minutes Nelson’s Barski again went close when a shot on the turn went dangerously across the face of the goal. This prompted WEST to respond and on 50 minutes Lee Malkin played in Scott J only for the Nelson keeper to save low to his left. Five minutes later a Callum Jones cross was headed on by Tre Willis only for Steve Settle to be denied as he collided with the advancing keeper. On the hour, Lewis Schofield entered the fray for Settle and on 66 minutes Tommy Walsh came on for the injured Shillito as West changed the shape and went looking for a winner. Nelson still looked dangerous and as both sets of players tired the game opened up. Lee Malkin went close 15 minutes from time cracking his shot against the centre back before sending the rebound out for a throw in! Then Gareth Thomas collected a Lewis Schofield pass, moved across the edge of the area only to shoot high and wide of the post. The final 5 minutes of normal time saw some frenetic action and 3 goals. Firstly, on 85 minutes, Lewis Schofield was instrumental in unlocking the Nelson defence by holding up the ball on the right flank and then setting up Thomas who fired a vicious low cross past the despairing central defence to find Lee Malkin collect and calmly slot home to give WEST a 2-1 lead. Nelson’s response was immediate and in the 86th minute a long punt from their own half was hammered home from inside the West penalty area as West failed to clear the danger. Then it was Lewis Schofield up to his tricks again to right of goal and his resultant cross was volleyed home by Tommy Walsh from 6 yards to record West’s 50th goal of the season. Nelson again threw men forward searching for an equaliser as the home fans checked their watches and scratched their heads as the referee played a further 10 minutes of added time. The Nelson keeper decided to join the action for their final corner and as the ball was cleared up field Tre Willis surged forward to the edge of the area, rounded the defender only to send the ball wide of the open goal. A fourth goal would have been harsh on this hard working Nelson team who show much promise for the future. At the final whistle it was a relieved West squad which warmed down before heading to the warmth of the dressing room having accumulated 16 points out of a possible 18 in the last 6 league games. If we can keep this consistency through the final 10 games the final league position will be interesting!
Thank you to our Last Match Sponsor: Dave Cooper We would like to thank Dave (pictured on the right handing the match ball to Andy Nelson) for sponsoring our last home match against Nelson. Dave has a long association with the club stretching back to the 70’s as a former player, then as a Manager of the third team before serving on the committee as Secretary then Treasurer. After an absence of 12 years Dave rejoined us a few years back and is now doing a sterling job again as Club Treasurer.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL 2012-2013 Division One Fixtures - 16th March Atherton LR v Formby Irlam v Chadderton Leek CSOB v Nelson Oldham Boro v Holker Old Boys Rochdale Town v Eccleshal West Didsbury & Chorlton v Atherton Collieries First Division Trophy Semi –Final 2nd Leg Abbey Hey v AFC Darwen Daisy Hill v Ashton Town
West Reserve team fixtures: Cheadle Town Res, 16 March, (A) 3.00pm Reserve Team Cup – Round 1
Barnoldswick Town Res, 23 March, (H) 3.00pm Silsden Res, 30 March, (A) 3.00pm
NWCFL Monthly Awards for February… Manager of The Month PREMIER DIVISION - Sponsored by Black Square Teamwear JOEY DUNN of RUNCORN LINNETS DIVISION ONE - Sponsored by Black Square Teamwear JIM SHIRLEY and KEVIN DALLY of FORMBY RESERVE DIVISION - Sponsored by Rampant Energy RICK ADRIO of NEW MILLS
Player of the Month PREMIER DIVISION - MIKE TOMLINSON of RUNCORN LINNETS DIVISION ONE - FRANNY SMITH of FORMBY
Goalkeeper of the Month – Sponsored by REUSCH PREMIER DIVISION - KARL WILLS of RUNCORN TOWN DIVISION ONE – JOHN McILWAINE of ABBEY HEY The FA Vase Final will be on Saturday 4 May 2013 at Wembley at 3.00pm and with the ticket prices set at £15 for adults and £5 for U16’s and also with the availability of purchasing tickets on TheFA.com.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
North West Counties – Disciplinary analysis Team
Red Yellow Points
Team
Red
Yellow Points
Winsford United
5
73
88
Runcorn Linnets Res
4
35
47
Norton United
9
55
82
Bootle
0
45
45
Glossop North End
4
69
81
Ashton Town
3
35
44
AFC Blackpool
6
56
74
Leek CSOB
4
31
43
Alsager Town
2
67
73
Nelson
2
34
40
Cheadle Town
5
55
70
Glossop N End Res
6
21
39
Irlam
5
27
68
Eccleshall
1
35
38
AFC Liverpool
7
46
67
Rochdale Town
2
31
37
AFC Darwen
3
56
65
Wigan Robin Park
1
34
37
Stockport Sports
4
52
64
Holker Old Boys
3
25
34
Runcorn Town
4
51
63
WEST RES
1
31
34
Maine Road
4
50
62
Atherton LR
0
33
33
Stone Dominoes
4
50
62
Formby
3
24
33
Runcorn Linnets
5
46
61
Atherton Collieries
2
26
32
Squires Gate
4
44
56
Abbey Hey
1
28
31
St Helens Town
4
44
56
WEST
1
28
31
Ashton Athletic
5
40
55
AFC Darwen Res
3
18
27
Barnoldswick Town
2
48
54
Barnoldswick T Res
2
21
27
Daisy Hill
4
42
54
Nelson Res
2
17
23
Silsden
3
45
54
Ashton Town Res
2
16
22
Bacup Borough
4
40
52
Irlam Res
2
15
21
Chadderton
4
38
50
Cheadle Town Res
0
17
17
Northwich Villa
5
34
49
Padiham Res
1
14
17
Padiham
3
40
49
New Mills Res
0
16
16
Congleton Town
3
39
48
Wigan Rob Pk Res
0
16
16
Oldham Boro
5
33
48
Silsden Res
0
8
8
Colne
3
38
47
Information is up to and including Monday 4th March, however, please note some clubs may not have provided the required information.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Division One Table Tables accurate after 9th March games
Home P
W
D
L
F
Away A
W
D L
F
A
GD Pts
1.
Abbey Hey
22 10
0
3 34
12
7
1 1 30
4
48 52
2. 3. 4.
19 8 24 8 23 9
0 1 1
2 30 3 26 0 35
16 15 10
9 7 5
0 0 40 1 4 35 3 5 26
12 25 14
42 51 21 47 37 46
24 8
2
2 30
15
6
2 4 20
18
17 46
6. 7. 8. 9.
Formby AFC Darwen Ashton Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Atherton Collieries Cheadle Town Oldham Boro * Leek CSOB
23 23 27 25
6 7 5 4
2 4 4 3
2 2 4 3
28 25 19 16
16 18 19 14
7 4 6 3
3 1 0 4
3 5 8 8
26 15 29 21
18 19 24 36
20 3 5 -13
44 38 34 28
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
Nelson Rochdale Town Chadderton Atherton LR Irlam Northwich Villa Eccleshall Daisy Hill Holker Old Boys
24 21 23 24 25 24 24 23 20
6 2 5 4 2 3 1 1 3
1 5 23 4 5 9 3 5 20 2 5 14 3 8 19 1 7 15 3 10 18 3 7 17 0 7 14
24 21 27 21 31 26 46 26 26
2 5 2 2 3 3 4 3 2
3 2 3 5 3 2 2 1 1
7 3 5 6 6 8 4 8 7
20 22 18 12 14 14 17 16 8
33 17 21 18 26 36 19 29 23
-14 -7 -10 -13 -24 -33 -30 -22 -27
28 27 27 25 21 21 20 16 16
A 20 25 32 16 36 31 27 25 45 29 47 43 61
GD 25 23 3 13 9 6 8 4 -17 -4 -15 -20 -35
Pts 32 32 31 30 27 26 23 23 20 15 14 14 11
5.
NWCFL Reserves Table 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
New Mills Padiham Cheadle Town Irlam Wigan Robin Park Barnoldswick Town Runcorn Linnets Glossop North End Nelson Ashton Town * West Didsbury & Chorlton Silsden AFC Darwen
P 14 16 17 16 16 15 15 18 17 13 19 18 16
W 10 9 10 9 8 8 6 7 6 5 4 4 3
*Point deducted for breach of rule
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
D L 2 2 5 2 1 6 3 4 3 5 2 5 5 4 2 9 2 9 1 7 2 13 2 12 2 11
F 45 48 35 29 45 37 35 29 28 25 32 23 26
Shirt Number Sponsors…
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
North West Counties Football League First Division Saturday 16th March 2013
Today’s squads
West Didsbury & Chorlton
Atherton Collieries
White shirts, black shorts & socks
Green shirts, white shorts and green socks
Ben Simpson (gk) Callum Jones Scott Jones David Kilbride-Ratcliffe Anthony Potts Callum Schofield Mike Aston (Capt) Danny Summers Mark Woodcock Gareth Thomas Steve Settle Lee Malkin Lee Shillito Lewis Schofield Tommy Walsh Tre Baldwin Willis
Carl Williams (gk) Phil Holland Jonah O’Reilly Simon Howard Steve Rothwell Mike Lawton Danny Smith Brad Cooke (Capt) Mitch Leece Paul Atherton Karl Atherton Andy Walker Gareth Peet Tom Mitchell Rob Swanton Paul Prescott
Manager: Andy Nelson
Manager: Steve Pilling
Assistant: Steve Eckersley
Assistants: Chris Richardson and Gareth Hall
Referee: Alex Kirkley
OFFICIALS: Assistants: Matthew Pope & Anthony Buckley
NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, 23rd March, 2013 – Kick-off: 3.00pm
WEST Res v Barnoldswick Town Res Please check the club website or www.nwcfl.com for up to date information 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
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