West Didsbury & Chorlton v Eccleshall

2012/13 SEASON Main club sponsor:

PROGRAMME ÂŁ1.50 League Challenge Cup First Round Saturday, 6 October 2012

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 07905 431526

Reserve Team Manager: Robert Madden 07730 655446 Asst Managers: Jim Hines & Shay Casey

Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Physio Winston Luke and 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 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

6th October 2012 – Eccleshall

Welcome to another ‘first’ for the club today as we have our inaugural game in the North West Counties Cup competition and welcome Eccleshall from Staffordshire as our visitors.

Last Saturday it was Holker who made the long trip to Chorlton from 100 miles to the north and today Eccleshall have had to travel some 55 miles to the south. They are a fellow Division 1 club who have been in the NWCFL for some years and have seen it all before. For us it is a new experience with the carrot of a further home tie in the next round if we are successful in getting through this one.

Today is also a chance for a cup tie and a break from the more routine tasks of many weeks focusing on getting established in the league. Last weekend’s confidence boosting result against Holker saw us fully deserve another 3 points to take us onto 17 points after 11 games and remain in 6th position. We are almost a third of the way through the league programme and if we’d been offered 6th spot before the season started we would have certainly taken that.

Staying there will be the challenge as the next 2/3rds of the season unfolds as some clubs behind us have games in hand, but we have points on the board and are there on merit and but for two or three unfortunate blips we would be in an even higher league placing. It’s been hard work but rewarding and enjoyable.

Eccleshall have had an indifferent start to the season and will be all out today to put that behind them and progress to the next round. This competition involves all the NWCFL clubs with those from the Premier division entering at the next round, so there is lot to play for today as we have the prospect of another home tie in the next round if we manage to overcome the first hurdle today. No doubt Eccleshall feel the same so we look forward to a competitive game. Other first round ties today are later in the programme.

Last weekend we again had a few ground hoppers pay us a visit including 3 from London, 2 from Lincoln, 1 from Leeds and another who must rank as our farthest visitor so far, from near Oslo in Norway. It was interesting listening to their tales of various clubs and grounds and one reflection on last week’s game is to be found at http://pieandmushypeas.blogspot.co.uk/ Having witnessed three cracking goals at Brookburn Road that lucky gentleman was off to watch his beloved Spurs at Old Trafford so his trip to Manchester is certainly one he will remember for some time on a day when WEST certainly played their part.

We look forward to an entertaining encounter this afternoon so please ENJOY THE GAME and the hot food and clubhouse refreshments.

Rob Turley Cover picture: Anthony Potts in action.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

View from the Dugout For the first time this season we have back to back home games. On the back of our home win last Saturday it is good to see everyone back today for our first round Challenge Cup game against Eccleshall.

After the disappointment of snatching defeat from the mouth of victory against Cheadle Town, a few changes to the team saw us control most of last Saturdays game against Holker Old Boys. The real positives to take from the game... a clean sheet, our first since we played Chadderton away in August, secondly our finishing, it is a long time since we scored three quality goals in one match, all of which were worthy of winning the game in their own right. Finally our ball retention, it was pleasing to watch, perhaps at times we overdid something to work on in the coming weeks, however, it but it was to good enjoy Saturday night!!

We are looking forward to our midweek game this Tuesday night against stronger opposition in Bamber Bridge, more of that in our next notes as this programme has to go to print before this game is played.

Steve Eckersley

Action from last Saturday, Tommy letting fly for the third goal (left) and Tre racing away on goal.

Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing pictures used on the website and in the programme 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.

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

Today’s Match Sponsor: Dave Cooper Dave joined West Didsbury, as it was then called, in late 1979 just after his 29th birthday. Dave got his big chance as a substitute for the second team at Christie’s playing field. Fortunately the left back was injured and Dave took his place and made it his own. Later that season, he broke into the first team. The next season, West took on a new first team manager who had played with Dave in the past and as a consequence his games for the first team were few and far between. So back to the second team… who that season went unbeaten and won the league and Dave won second team player of the year award. It was presented to him by a new Manchester Utd manager; A. Ferguson; whatever happened to him, (pictured right).

In the early 80s Dave joined the committee serving as Secretary and Treasurer for many years. Dave went to play for and manage the third team and then the fourth team and of course the vets team before retiring in 1999 just before his 49th birthday. One of the highlights of Dave’s career was winning the Clubman of the year and having it presented by Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford. Dave left the club in 1999 after it had relocated and established itself at Brookburn Road but after a few years watching Burnley, decided to return to the now called ‘West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC’ and help out on committee. Shortly afterwards he was once again elected Treasurer and can currently be found after most games behind the bar annoying Monica.

Last week’s Match Sponsor: Rob Turley Consultancy Rob Turley Consultancy were our match sponsors last week against Holker Old Boys.

Rob (left) is pictured passing the match ball to Steve Eckersley our assistant manager who was holding fort as Andy Nelson was away.

Rob Turley Consultancy are an independent planning and development consultancy providing specialist advice on how to obtain planning permission for various forms of new development, including facilities for sport and recreation and football clubs.

For initial advice without any obligation please call 0161 448 1838, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or Beverley Dawson on 07972 873781.

Interested in sponsoring one of our matches?

Then please speak to Rob, Steve or John – refer to details inside the front cover

Golden Goal We are pleased to announce we have started to sell golden goal tickets these cost £1; this will be a regular feature at our home games.

Look out for these being sold and if you draw the correct time you will win 30% of the takings sold at that match.

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.

If you’re into football and follow City or United then why not make us your second team and be part of the experience of quality grass roots football. 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 We will use this to provide updates and information (fixtures, news, events, link to NWCFL articles, link to website, results, photos etc). Our username is WD_CFC (picture of club badge) please follow us and re tweet information so as many people see it as possible.

Shirt Number Sponsors For as little as £20 you can sponsor a club shirt, your support will be recognised in the clubhouse and in every match day programme (starting in the next issue) through the season. You’ll struggle to find a cheaper way to support your local club. Please ask one of the committee for further details or sign up on the poster in the entrance area of the clubhouse… there are now only 7 shirts left so don’t delay.

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.

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Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.

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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

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

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.

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First team match report…

Saturday 29th September: WEST 3 Holker Old Boys 0 THREE CRACKERS – THREE POINTS After the disappointment of letting a 2 goal lead and three points slip away at Cheadle Town we entertained Holker OB from Barrow determined to get things back on track. The early exchanges were pretty even with little leeway given by the visitors and West restricted to a few half chances in the opening half an hour. Tre Baldwin went close after 12 minutes when he shot just wide and after 20 minutes the bustling Lee Malkin turned and shot inside the area only to find the keeper. The best chance came after 30 minutes when Scott Jones found himself unmarked in a central position but his effort was deflected narrowly wide with the keeper helpless.

Holker’s best and only chance in the first period came from a free kick from outside the area but Ben Simpson was on his toes and saved well high to his left. Just when it looked like the first half would end scoreless Holker conceded a free kick for a needless hand ball on the edge of their area and Lewis Schofield stepped up to place the ball calmly to the keepers left and give West a 1-0 interval lead. [helped by Ben Simpsons advice from 80 yards away to ‘take something off it’ allowing for the strong following wind].

The second period started with West eager to add to the advantage and 2 minutes into the second period Tre Baldwin was sent clear by Lee Malkin and cracked a thunderous right foot shot past a bemused keeper to make it 2-0; a great strike to round off some neat passing which had opened up the Holker defence. This seemed to settle the team and West then kept the ball pretty well and were determined not to let Holker back in the game. Steve Eckersley sensibly made a couple of tactical changes with Callum Schofield replacing the tiring Paul Lewis on the hour. This released Aston to push further forward as Callum Schofield slotted in at left back and on 70 minutes Tommy Walsh came on as a straight swop for Lee Malkin.

Ten minutes from time Holker missed a great opportunity to get back in the game when a header from a corner flashed narrowly wide and on 83 minutes they were made to pay a heavy price when good play between Tre Baldwin and Tommy Walsh saw the latter dummy the centre back to create room on the edge of the box before rifling a terrific right foot shot into the top corner past the despairing Holker keeper. Late on it could have been 4-0 but Lewis Schofield rippled the side netting with a decent effort which went just wide.

This was another good team performance and in the end we ran out worthy winners against a Holker side who for a long time were difficult to break down.

This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 Duncan McVey £60 Bobby Ashcroft £40 Lee Renforth The next draw is on Monday 5th November 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.

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

Reserve team match report‌ Saturday 29th September: Nelson 2 WEST 0 Our Reserves played only their second away game of the season, away to Nelson.

With all the adverse weather over the last week the Nelson pitch was, whilst a little soft in places, in remarkably good shape. Much to the credit of the groundsman.

As in a number of games this season West had the better of the opening exchanges and for the first 15 minutes pushed the Nelson team back on numerous occasions. We moved the ball around well and played some lovely one and two touch football, unfortunately the final ball was not there and we didn't put enough pressure on the Nelson defence. Still in control one error cost us a goal when a misplaced pass went to a Nelson player, our defence was wrong footed and the Nelson striker went through on goal and slotted the ball into the net from just inside our area giving Steve Mellor little chance in the West goal.

Nelson began to lift their game and forced several corners which West defended well. On one occasion Steve Mellor punched the ball away which resulted in him landing with his full weight on his left wrist. After several anxious minutes and with physio Neha Chhabra putting a great deal of strapping on the wrist Steve was able to continue. As the half went on we regained our composure and competed well allowing Nelson little chance to increase their lead. Wests only half chance in the first half was when Stephen Madden chased down a John Chrimes pass and managed to get an outstretched foot onto the ball sending it just over the bar.

In the second half with the introduction of Bobby Ashcroft on the right and Joel Hunter in midfield we looked far more threatening, Bobby's pace beat the Nelson left back more than once but a well drilled Nelson defence ensured there was little threat on their goal. Joel Hunter continued to press forward playing nice one twos and we looked to be getting a hold of the game when Joel caught his foot in the turf damaging his knee ligaments.

The game began to open out more and both sides created chances Nelson pumping the ball more and more down field forcing Steve Mellor to produce two wonderful saves, one from a thunderous shot that was curling into the bottom corner. With the Nelson team already celebrating the goal Steve dived and at full stretch pushed the ball onto the post. Minutes later a cross come shot came off the boot of Nathan Wakelam in the six yard area and with the keeper starting to go the wrong way turned in the air to palm the ball over the bar. Nelson didn't have it all their own way with West coming close when Stephen Madden chipped the ball over the keeper who, just getting a fingertip onto the ball was then able to make a save on the goal line. Substitute Nathan Sharples came close when he beat his man and shot the ball across goal just missing the far post. Ash Farlow also came close with a curling free kick round the Nelson wall, any sort of touch would have seen the ball into the net.

With 10 minutes to go Nelson broke down the West right, the Nelson player cut into the box, avoided one tackle and then seemed to dive over Nathan Wakelam's leg to gain a somewhat dubious penalty which was subsequently converted to make the final score 2-0 to the home team. Alex Fawcett, Gary Lilley, Miguel Garcia and Steve Mellor all put in excellent performances and if we can build on this then it will only be a matter of time before we start to put points on the board and climb up the table.

Robert Madden WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

NWCFL fixtures 2012-2013 Other League Challenge Cup First Round today: Abbey Hey v Oldham Boro AFC Darwen v Leek CSOB Chadderton v Atherton Collieries Cheadle Town v Ashton Town Irlam v Formby Nelson v Rochdale Town Northwich Villa v Daisy Hill West Didsbury & Chorlton v Eccleshall

First team fixtures: http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/78525/Fixtures Reserve team fixtures: NWC Reserve Division Ashton Town Res, 13th October (H) 3.00pm Cheadle Town Res, 20th October (A) 3.00pm Glossop North End Res, 3rd November (H) 3.00pm New Mills Res, 24th November (A) 3.00pm Reserve Team Cup – Round 1 Ashton Town Res, November date TDC (H)

NWCFL recent news…

Police officers remembered – players from Irlam Reserves and Ashton Town Reserves observed a minutes silence before their fixture at Silver Street last weekend, as a mark of respect for WPCs Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who lost their lives in the course of their duty.

Stockport Sports – the club have appointed Russell Hoyte as their Community Officer.

Russell’s role is to forge links with the local community and to create a variety of community initiatives for the club. He will also be looking to set up links with junior leagues and clubs, and has also organised ball boys for future games at the Stockport Sports Village.

Padiham – The club’s Under 13s team will have a new kit to wear this season, courtesy of their local Tesco store. Tesco have agreed to provide the kit as part of the PR campaign surrounding the opening of a new store in Padiham, and a photograph of the team wearing the kit will be arranged in the next few weeks, for distribution to the local press and Tesco’s own internal publications.

Cheadle Town - collectors of non-league football programmes may be interested to learn that back copies of Cheadle Town home programmes, dating back as far as the early 1990s, are available for sale from the club's tea bar on match days. Programmes from other clubs are also on sale.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Division One Table

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2.

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15.

16.

17.

18.

AFC Darwen Formby Abbey Hey Cheadle Town Ashton Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Chadderton Oldham Boro Atherton Collieries Rochdale Town Nelson Atherton LR Irlam Northwich Villa Daisy Hill Leek CSOB Eccleshall Holker Old Boys

P 11 8 6 9 8 11 10 10 7 9 6 9 9 10 9 13 9 6

W 9 7 6 5 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 0 0

D L F A 0 2 32 12 0 1 32 17 0 0 24 6 3 1 21 13 2 1 17 10 2 4 24 19 2 4 18 17 1 5 15 21 0 3 23 16 3 3 17 18 2 1 14 9 2 4 12 18 1 5 17 22 1 6 15 21 4 4 17 21 1 10 21 42 2 7 11 26 0 6 1 23

GD Pts 20 27 15 21 18 18 8 18 7 17 5 17 1 14 -6 13 7 12 -1 12 5 11 -6 11 -5 10 -6 10 -4 7 -21 7 -15 2 -22 0

NWCFL Reserves Table 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

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8.

9.

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11.

12.

13.

Nelson Glossop North End Barnoldswick Town Cheadle Town New Mills Ashton Town Padiham Wigan Robin Park Silsden Irlam Runcorn Linnets West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Darwen

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

P 7 6 6 7 7 5 5 5 8 6 6 8 6

W 5 4 4 4 3 3 2 3 3 2 1 1 0

D 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 0 0 1 3 1 1

L 2 2 2 3 2 1 0 2 5 3 2 6 5

F 17 11 13 14 14 9 15 14 13 6 11 11 8

A GD Pts 10 7 15 6 5 12 9 4 12 16 -2 12 12 2 11 5 4 10 5 10 9 15 -1 9 19 -6 9 7 -1 7 12 -1 6 16 -5 4 24 -16 1

Bonfire night at Brookburn Road‌

Helpers needed to assist with stewarding and in the clubhouse Please sign up on the list in the clubhouse.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWC League Challenge Cup - First Round Saturday 6th October 2012

Today’s squads

West Didsbury & Chorlton

Eccleshall

White shirts, black shorts & socks

Red shirts, red shorts and red socks

Ben Simpson (gk) Callum Jones Scott Jones Anthony Potts Dave Kilbride Dave Conlon Graham Bryant Danny Summers Mike Aston (Capt) Mark Woodcock Lee Malkin Tommy Walsh Tre Baldwin - Willis Paul Lewis Lee Shillito Joel Hunter Ashley Farlow Lewis Childs Lewis Schofield Dale Newbrooke (gk)

Stuart Plant Bradley Cooper Lee Ratcliffe Michael Davies Gary Gibson Nathan Hunt (Capt) Callum Hassall Jordan Flattley Lee Summerfield Daniel Colclough Ryan Smith Jack Warren Daniel Jones Jordan Foster Mark Smallcross Mitchell Lovatt

Manager: Andy Nelson

Manager: Dave Porter

Assistant: Steve Eckersley

Assistant: Kevin Reeves

Referee: Chris Hope

OFFICIALS: Assistants: Steve Mason-Smith & Jonathan Smith

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, 13th October, 2012 – Kick-off: 3.00pm

WEST Res v Ashton Town Res Please check the club website weekly at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com and www.nwcfl.com for up to date information www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

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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