2012/13 SEASON
PROGRAMME ÂŁ1.50
Main club sponsor:
First Division Saturday, 19 January, 2013
v Eccleshall
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
19th January 2013 – Eccleshall
A belated but none the less Happy New Year to one and all as we at last get back to league action after several weeks of disruption. Today we are pleased to welcome Eccleshall back to Brookburn Road for the second time this season following our previous encounter in the League Challenge Cup competition. That was a good game which we won 4-0 and we can expect an equally competitive game again today. WET WEEKENDS The end of December saw 3 consecutive fixtures disrupted by the weather including our Boxing Day fixture against Leek. This 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 rains fell constantly in the hour before kickoff and throughout the first half leaving the referee no alternative but to abandon the game at half time. The weather also beat us on the following Saturdays as the pitch was still very heavy and in two area the ball just would not bounce, so the home games against Irlam and Ashton Town also were postponed. Last weekend an early inspection at Formby also saw that game called off so we have now several rearranged games to fit into the fixture schedule as we aim to complete all our games by 30th April as required by the League and the FA. We have played precisely half our league fixtures and have 17 league games remaining with 2 further games at least in cup competitions. 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, and the abandoned Boxing Day game against Leek will now be replayed on Tuesday 26th March at 7.45pm. We await details of away games at Holker in Barrow, Eccleshall and Atherton Collieries and also the home game against Irlam. 2012 IN BRIEF Looking back over the last 12 months it is remarkable just how far the club has progressed due to a lot of hard work on and off the field. This time last year we were awaiting news of our application to join the NWCFL, having registered this with the FA just before Christmas 2011, we have a feature on this further on in the programme. We thank everyone who has been part of our recent progression during 2012 and look forward with anticipation to what the New Year of 2013 has in store. 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, we had hoped that an improvement in the weather may have dried the pitch for our next home game on 5th January against Ashton Town, but the damage done to the pitch on Boxing Day still affected the pitch and that was also postponed…and the list continued last Saturday when our away game against Formby was also cancelled! It is now over a month since we have played a competitive fixture. This was a further disappointment as we were playing with a settled team and the results and performances were of a consistently good level. 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 Opposition Score AUGUST 2012 Sat Aug 4 3.00 H Formby 2–3 Wed Aug 8 7.45 A Chadderton 3–0 Sat Aug 11 3.00 A Oldham Boro 4–2 Tues Aug 14 7.45 H Northwich Villa 1–1 Sat Aug 18 3.00 A AFC Darwen 0–2 SEPTEMBER Sat Sept 1 3.00 H Cheadle Town FA - V 1–3 Tues Sept 4 7.45 A Leek CSOB 2–1 Sat Sept 8 3.00 A Atherton LR 1–4 Sat Sept 15 3.00 H Oldham Boro 4–1 Wed Sept 19 7.45 A Nelson 2–2 Sat Sept 22 3.00 A Cheadle Town 2–3 Sat Sept 29 3.00 H Holker Old Boys 3-0 OCTOBER Sat Oct 6 3.00 H Eccleshall LCC 1st Rd 4-0 Tues Oct 9 7.45 A Bamber Bridge LCT 1-3 Sat Oct 20 3.00 H Rochdale Town 2-0 Sat Oct 27 3.00 H Norton United LCC 2nd Rd 3-1 NOVEMBER Sat Nov 3 3.00 A Northwich Villa 0-2 Sat Nov 10 3.00 H Abbey Hey 2-1 Sat Nov 17 3.00 A Daisy Hill 1-0 Sat Nov 24 3.00 H Atherton LR FDT 2nd Rd 2 -0 DECEMBER Sat Dec 1 3.00 A Irlam 1-1 Sat Dec 15 3.00 H Cheadle Town 4-0 JANUARY 2013 Sat Jan 19 3.00 H Eccleshall Sat Jan 26 3.00 H Chadderton FEBRUARY Sat Feb 2 3.00 A Ashton Town FDT Q-Final Sat Feb 9 3.00 H AFC Darwen Sat Feb 16 3.00 A Bootle LCC 2nd Rd Sat Feb 23rd 3.00 H Ashton Town MARCH 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 Sat Apr 13 3.00 H Nelson Sat Apr 27 3.00 A Ashton Town FA V = FA Vase FDT= First Div Trophy LCC = League Challenge Cup
Scorers Beckford, Walsh Potts, Walsh (2) Aston, C Jones, Walsh, Beckford Baird
Bryant Shillito, Bryant Bryant Kilbride, Summers, Shillito L. Schofield, C Jones L. Schofield, Malkin L. Schofield, Baldwin, Walsh Aston, S Jones, Baldwin, Walsh Summers Baldwin (2) Malkin, L. Schofield, Walsh
C. Schofield, M Woodcock Potts Summers. Aston (pen) Baldwin Walsh, S. Jones, Thomas, Malkin
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 Paul Lewis £60 Jamie Harkness £40 Rob Clarke The next draw is on Monday 4th February 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… Eccleshall Eccleshall Football Club was reformed in 1971 and nicknamed the Eagles. The club’s meeting place was the George and Dragon, Eccleshall and whose landlord the late Mr. M. Beale led the first committee. At that time the team was made up of locals and staff from the Eccleshall Secondary School which also provided training and playing facilities. The club was called Eccleshall Old Boys Football Club. In 1974 the team won their first trophies, the Mid-Staffs 3rd Division Cup and were also runners-up in that division, gaining promotion to Division 2. In 1976 they won the 2nd Division Cup in the same league. Interest grew and a second team was formed at the end of the 1975-76 season, ready for the following season. Old Boys was dropped from the club’s name. In 1979 the first team joined the Staffordshire County League (North) and a third team was formed. With this came the problem of pitches to play on. In 1981 after much hard fund raising and with the help of grants and a loan a four acre field was purchased at Pershall. In the same year the first team moved into the Premier Division. Work began converting it into a football ground. In 1982 a building was purchased from British Telecom and with lots of hard work during that and the following year on the building, car park and the pitch, the ground was ready. The ground was christened Pershall Park. In 1983 a small covered area was put up commonly known as ‘The Shed’. In 1983-84 season the first team won the Staffs County League Premier Division Championship, the Premier Division Cup and the May Bank Cup. In the 1984-5 and 1985-86 seasons the club reached the Staffs F.A. Vase finals only to be the losing team on both occasions. In the 1984-85 season the Staffordshire Senior League was formed from the Staffs County League Premier Division came the majority of clubs of which Eccleshall was one. In the 1990-91 season the club entered the F.A. Vase for the first time and a small extension was added to the clubhouse. In 1991-92 the club reached the F.A. Vase 2nd round, having gone through all the premlinary stages but lost at home to Wisbech Town 2-0 in front of a record crowd of 368. A steady improvement from the mid 90’s in both the first and second teams led to a fairly successful seasons without winning any silverware. Planning permission has been granted for both floodlights and a covered seated stand and the club are in the process of applying for grants and fund raising. In 2002-2003 work was completed to allow the club to apply to the North West Counties should the team finish in the top two of the league. The Staffordshire F.A. Vase was won for the first time in the club’s history and the championship retained and promotion granted. The reserves won the Staffordshire County League and were beaten finalists in the Leek Cup, being defeated by Alsager Town reserves from the higher Midland League. On the pitch 2003-2004 brought no rewards but the club’s application to the Football Foundation for £87,500 for funding floodlights and levelling the pitch, was granted. Manager Bob Askey decided to stand down at the end of 2004-2005 and hand the reigns to brother Mark, who had been running the reserves. A new management team in Dave Dale and Gary Worthington took over prior to the start of the 20082009 season, when Mark Askey resigned. The new management team had spent the season before coaching the first team squad under Mark Askey. Gary Worthington left the management team half way through 2009-2010 with Duncan Maydew taking over as assistant. The team finished the season in 9th place, it’s highest since joining the league. However Dave Dale handed in his resignation in February 2011 and was quickly replaced with former Nantwich Town manager, Peter Hall. Peter Hall declined the invitation to stay on for 2011-2012 season so the job was offered to Kieron Hammett who had assisted Peter Hall. Kieron accepted and appointed Roy Lane as his assistant. Unfortunately after a reasonable season with the club finishing in the top half, Kieron decided to quit as manager. For the start of 2012-13 season Dave Porter was appointed as manager with Kevin Reeves as his assistant.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
PROGRAMME INSERT v Eccleshall
Tues 26th February 2013
EDITORIAL This update sheet is added to tonight’s programme which we had printed for the original game which was postponed until tonight. However, the Eccleshall club information has not changed, although the players’ lists may have some minor changes. WELCOME We are pleased to welcome back the Eccleshall officials, players and supporters for their second visit this season. Last time it was for a cup fixture when we secured a 4-0 home victory but we can take nothing for granted in any game. The squad will be determined to build on the excellent recent performances when we followed up a fighting 3-2 win over Chadderton, from 0-2 down at half time, pushed high flying Premier Division side Bootle all the way in the cup and then came from behind against Ashton Town last Saturday to draw 1-1. With a bit more luck we would have had all 3 points but the team spirit and performance was excellent and we need to maintain this momentum of recent weeks again tonight. FORTHCOMING FIXTURES The next three weeks will see us playing twice a week and after tonight we have two successive away games. The first is at Holker OB in Barrow on Saturday quickly followed by a trip to the seaside at Formby next Monday night 1st March. Then it’s back to Brookburn Road for three home games on the spin against Nelson on Sat 9th, Irlam on Tuesday 12th and Atherton Collieries on Sat 16th. We still have 42 points to play for and maintaining consistency will be crucial in keeping us in the top 6 of the league. It has been really encouraging to see how resilient and mature the squad has become as the season has progressed and despite the postponements which resulted in a significant mid season disruption in fixtures. BARROW We are running a coach next Saturday for the away trip to Barrow leaving Brookburn Road at 11.30am to get to Barrow for 1.30pm. We have space on the coach and we again hope that a number of our supporters will join the squad for this our longest away trip. We are grateful to those who came with the team for the trip to Bootle and it is encouraging for the lads to have our positive supporters travel with them. That has been another encouraging of this debut season as we find our feet at this level and see a growing number of regulars supporting the team both home and away. Our average home attendances have more than doubled this season and this has all added to the buzz at the ground on match days, and especially on these cold midweek winter evenings. CLUBHOUSE REFRESHMENTS The forecast is for another cold evening but the clubhouse is open as usual for hot food and drinks so you can keep warm at half time. Also, as a polite reminder, can we ask all spectators to ensure alcoholic drinks are consumed inside the clubhouse.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND ENJOY THIS EVENING’S GAME.
TODAYS OFFICIALS Referee: Dave Critchlow
Assistants: Kat Davey & Leslie Lever WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
FIRST TEAM – 2013 Rearranged fixtures Date
KO
FEBRUARY Sat Feb 2 Sat Feb 9 Tues Feb 12 Sat Feb 16 Sat Feb 23 Tues Feb 26 MARCH Sat Mar 2 Tues Feb 5 Sat Mar 9 Tues Mar 12 Sat Mar 16 Sat Mar 23 Tues Mar 26 Sat Mar 30 APRIL Mon Apr 1 Sat Apr 6 Wed Apr 10 Mon Apr 22 Sat Apr 27
H/A Opposition
Score Scorers
3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45
A H H A H H
Ashton Town AFC Darwen Chadderton Bootle Ashton Town Eccleshall
FDT Q-Final
7.45 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00
A A H H H A H H
Holker Old Boys Formby Nelson Irlam Atherton Collieries Abbey Hey Leek CSOB Daisy Hill
3.00 3.00 7.45 19.45 3.00
A H A A A
Rochdale Town Atherton LR Eccleshall Atherton Collieries Ashton Town
LCC 2nd Rd
1-3 2-3 3-2 1-2 1–1
Aston OG, Aston (pen) Shillito, S. Jones, Walsh S. Jones C. Jones
CLUB MERCHANDISE We have just taken delivery of some new club merchandise to sell to help club funds and promote the club as shown on the photographs. This includes: Mugs at £5, Key rings at £1, Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
First Team Report …
A HARD EARNED POINT! West 1 Ashton Town 1
This was a very even contest where a spirited and committed West performance saw us share the spoils against one of the leading clubs in the division. It was particularly pleasing to recover from conceding early when on 6 minutes a cross from the left wing saw Robinson unmarked and able to direct a header back across goal and just inside the post as the pavilion end to give the visitors the early advantage. The West response was positive, immediate and incessant as we took the game to Ashton and on 12 minutes Tommy Walsh held the ball up well to release Lee Malkin who slotted the ball into the path of Scott Jones who was narrowly wide of the target. 10 minutes later and Tommy again caused havoc and he beat his first man and set off towards goal only to be felled by a cynical challenge which brought a yellow card. On the half hour good play by Aston and Scott Jones set up Woody but his effort was just over the bar. 3 minutes later and it was all square after a great run by Malkin left several defenders in his wake and as he cut in from the left along the goal line the ball was cut back to Schofield and then on to Callum Jones who slotted home from the right hand side of the 6 yard box. Then on the stroke of half time Scott Jones set off on a great solo run from his own half into the Ashton area only for another deflection for a corner. The second period saw defenses on top for most of the remainder of the game with West edging it on chances created but without the end product of a winning goal. On 51 minutes a Thomas free kick was headed on and fell just beyond Tre Willis with the keeper in two minds and 5 minutes later a Thomas pile driver from 20 yards flashed just wide of the left hand post. After 70 minutes a Willis long throw found Scott Jones unmarked 6 yards out and his effort was deflected over the bar with the keeper stranded. Ashton’s best effort of the second period was shot from distance testing Simpson who dived across to his left to catch and hold the ball. The last quarter of an hour saw little further goal mouth action apart from a late half chance when Joshua Chishambo, making his debut as a late substitute, just couldn’t get on the end of another scramble in the Ashton 6 yard area as the visiting keeper saved a point for the visitors.
Tonight’s Squads… West Didsbury & Chorlton
Eccleshall
White shirts, black shorts & socks
Red shirts, red shorts & socks
Ben Simpson (gk) Callum Jones Scott Jones David Kilbride-Ratcliffe
Ryan Bromley (gk) Bradley Cooper Daniel Colclough Matthew Elkin
Anthony Potts
Mark Mapperson (Capt)
Callum Schofield
Richard Goodwin
Mike Aston (Capt)
Daniel Richardson
Danny Summers Mark Woodcock Gareth Thomas Lee Malkin Tommy Walsh Steve Settle Lee Shillito Lewis Schofield Joshua Chisambo
Jack Warren Jordan Flattley Thomas Wakefield George Burslem Joshua Horne Nick Ward Daniel Jones Nathan Calvert John Mayer
Next Home match Saturday 9th March – 3.00 pm KO WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Division One Table Tables accurate after 23rd February games
Home P
W
D
L
F
Away A
W
D L
F
A
GD Pts
1.
Abbey Hey
20 9
0
3 31
12
6
1 1 26
4
41 46
2. 3. 4.
AFC Darwen Ashton Town Formby
22 8 20 8 15 7
0 1 0
2 24 0 33 1 28
12 10 14
7 5 7
1 4 35 2 4 25 0 0 31
25 12 11
22 46 36 42 34 42
5.
Atherton Collieries
19 6
0
2 27
15
6
2 3 23
17
18 38
6.
Cheadle Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Oldham Boro * Chadderton
22 7
4
2 25
18
3
1 5 13
19
1
20 6
2
2 24
12
4
2 4 16
17
11 34
24 5 21 5
4 3
3 18 4 20
17 25
6 2
0 6 27 3 4 18
19 19
9 -6
10. Leek CSOB
22 4
2
3 16
14
3
2 8 21
36
-13 25
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
19 20 23 21 21 21 22 18
3 1 3 1 2 3 3 0
5 4 7 5 5 9 6 6
21 17 27 21 21 44 23 21
4 1 3 3 1 3 3 2
2 3 3 2 4 2 1 1
16 29 21 33 16 14 29 23
-8 -13 -16 -26 -15 -27 -21 -27
P W
D
L
F
A
13 15 16 14 16 14 14 16 14 12 17 18
9 8 9 8 8 6 7 6 5 5 4 3
2 2 5 2 1 6 3 3 3 5 5 3 2 5 2 8 2 7 1 6 2 11 2 13
43 45 32 26 45 33 29 26 25 24 29 29
19 24 29 24 21 29 30 2 28 13 13 27 36 9 27 24 9 23 30 -1 23 22 4 20 35 -10 17 26 -2 15 45 -16 14 45 -16 11
15 3
2 10
24
58 -34 11
7. 8. 9.
Rochdale Town Nelson Irlam Northwich Villa Atherton LR Eccleshall Daisy Hill Holker Old Boys
2 5 2 3 3 1 1 2
9 17 19 14 13 18 15 9
3 6 5 7 6 3 8 7
20 16 13 14 9 13 16 8
35
34 27 23 22 21 21 18 17 16 13
NWCFL Reserves Table 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
New Mills Padiham Cheadle Town Irlam Wigan Robin Park Runcorn Linnets Barnoldswick Town Glossop North End Nelson Ashton Town * Silsden West Didsbury & Chorlton
13. AFC Darwen *Point deducted for breach of rule
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
GD Pts
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Looking back over the last 12 months… It is remarkable just how far the club has progressed due to a lot of hard work on and off the field. This time last year we were awaiting news of our application to join the NWCFL, having registered this with the FA just before Christmas 2011. The months that followed saw us steadily climbing the Manchester League Premier Division through the spring and we then had another grading visit from NWCFL officials and the check list of further improvements necessary to join the league. Fortunately the floodlights had been installed and the various certificates issued after the electrical installation was completed. As soon as the season ended in early May we were hard at work with ground renovation works, and then the FA National League Committee gave the go ahead to our promotion. Monica Creer and Rob Turley then had had the pleasure of attending the League AGM in Blackpool when we were duly elected by the other member clubs – another landmark in the club’s history. The Committee then saw some changes in roles as long serving Chairman Brian Cripps became Club President, Glyn Meacher became Chairman and Rob Turley Club Secretary as Monica Creer became membership secretary after her long stint as both club and membership secretary. A new Executive Committee was formed to focus on running the club administration with a separate Football Committee to deal with the teams and playing side of the club. July saw a heavy pre-season friendly programme as we geared up for the new challenges and a very early start against Formby on 4th August. All the further ground works were completed in time for the opening game which saw over 100 attending and the new spectator barriers successfully coming through the pre match and half time crowd control tests. August saw us play 5 games in an opening 14 day period as we began to find our feet and gain our first points. September opened with the disappointment of a home defeat in the FA Vase but ended with a confidence boosting home win over Holker Old Boys. October was another encouraging month as we won all our NWC fixtures with the only set back coming with a narrow away defeat at Bamber Bridge in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy. A highlight was the best result in our history against higher level opposition as we defeated Premier Division Norton United in the League Challenge Cup. Off the field a team of 5 Manchester Business School students began looking at the club finances and structures to give us an independent overview of things we might consider for the future and we began to finalise our application for the new grass pitches on the land adjoining the club which we have secured on a long term lease.. November opened with an unexpected set back away to Northwich Villa but the day got a lot better when over 500 again attended the Community Bonfire event at the ground to boost the club funds and generate a lot of very positive feedback. The rest of November saw a further 3 victories as we have settled into the upper end of the Division and won our way through to the next round of both cup competitions. As we approach the end of the year we look back on a lot of change, great encouragement from both our league results and the many compliments received from visiting clubs, match officials and spectators. At the risk of being repetitive, we are delighted to have joined the NWCFL and to have enjoyed the new experiences of away trips to some historic and interesting grounds across the region from Darwen and Nelson to the north down to Leek in Staffordshire, and with trips to Barrow, Bootle and Formby to look forward to early next year. We thank everyone who has been part of our recent journey and progression and look forward with anticipation to what 2013 has in store. The Committee
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
NWCFL 2012-2013 Division One Fixtures - 19th January AFC Darwen v Cheadle Town Atherton LR v Nelson Chadderton v Atherton Collieries Holker Old Boys v Formby Northwich Villa v Abbey Hey Oldham Boro v Daisy Hill Rochdale Town v Irlam West Didsbury & Chorlton v Eccleshall
West Reserve team fixtures: Ashton Town Res, 2 February, (H) 3.00pm Res. Cup – Rd 1 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… Saturday 5th January 2013 Oldham Boro's 1-0 win at Abbey Hey was their 350th League win. Irlam passed 200 League points with their 2-0 win at Holker Old Boys (they are now on 202 points). Atherton Collieries' first goal in their 5-2 win over Nelson, scored by Simon Howard in the 9th minute, was Colls' 900th home League goal. 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
Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing pictures used on the website and in the programme
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Division One Table
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.
AFC Darwen Ashton Town Abbey Hey Atherton Collieries Cheadle Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Oldham Boro Formby Chadderton Rochdale Town Leek CSOB Northwich Villa Atherton LR Irlam Nelson Daisy Hill Eccleshall Holker Old Boys
P 19 18 16 15 18 17 19 10 15 16 18 19 17 20 14 19 17 15
W 13 12 11 10 9 9 9 9 7 6 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 4
D 1 2 1 1 4 3 3 0 3 3 3 3 5 5 3 4 4 0
L 5 4 4 4 5 5 7 1 5 7 10 11 8 11 7 12 10 10
P 14 14 11 12 14 12 12 14 12 12 13 15 13
W D L 7 5 2 8 0 6 7 2 2 7 2 3 7 2 5 7 1 4 5 4 3 6 1 7 5 1 6 5 1 6 4 0 9 3 1 11 2 2 9
F 54 54 40 43 36 34 38 42 32 26 30 26 21 27 24 25 27 16
A 32 20 14 28 31 23 31 18 31 31 44 51 32 41 32 45 51 40
GD Pts 22 40 34 38 26 34 15 31 5 31 11 30 7 30 24 27 1 24 -5 21 -14 18 -25 18 -11 17 -14 17 -8 15 -20 13 -24 13 -24 12
NWCFL Reserves Table 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Padiham Cheadle Town New Mills Irlam Wigan Robin Park Barnoldswick Town Runcorn Linnets Glossop North End Nelson Ashton Town * Silsden West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Darwen
*Point deducted for breach of rule
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
F 42 27 35 23 34 28 27 23 24 24 21 24 20
A 24 28 18 11 32 22 20 18 30 26 34 36 53
GD 18 -1 17 12 2 6 7 5 -6 -2 -13 -12 -33
Pts 26 24 23 23 23 22 19 19 16 15 12 10 8
Shirt Number Sponsors…
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
North West Counties Football League First Division Saturday 19th January 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 Lee Shillito Lewis Schofield
Eccleshall Red shirts, red shorts & socks
Stuart Plant (gk) Bradley Cooper Lee Ratcliffe Mark Mapperson Nick Ward Jordan Flattley Lyndon Campbell Christopher Coleman Daniel Jones(Capt) Thomas Wakefield Nathan Calvert Daniel Colclough Joshua Horne George Burslem Daniel Richardson Matthew Elkin
Manager: Andy Nelson
Manager: Liam James
Assistant: Steve Eckersley
Assistant: Kevin Jones
OFFICIALS: Referee: Nigel Lear Assistants: Michael Ramsden & Daniel Cooney NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, 26th January, 2013 – Kick-off:3.00pm
WEST v Chadderton 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
Keep up to date with the latest information on your club...
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/