West Didsbury & Chorlton v Maine Road

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME £2.00

The Hallmark Security League – Premier Division

MAINE ROAD WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Tuesday 27 December 2016 3.00pm

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President Brian Cripps

Director of Football: Andy Nelson

Chairman Glyn Meacher

First Team Manager: Steve Settle Head Coach: Steve Brockley Assistant: Steve Eckersley (admin) Assistant: Rob Madden Goalkeeping: Dale Newbrook Match Secretary: Rob McKay

Club Secretary Rob McKay Mob: 07706 320397 e-mail: robmckay86@gmail.com Membership Secretary Monica Creer Treasurer Dave Cooper Sponsorship John Churchman 07720 508082 Community Development Davy Iredale

Reserve Team Managers: Jim Hines & Danny Iredale Physio Winston Luke Paddy Murphy Youth Team Manager: Nick Storey

Publicity Team Rob McKay John Churchman

Programme contributors: John Churchman; Rob McKay; Paul Settle and Jonny Keen Match Photographer: Graham Currey 07768 763209 Ownership: In accordance with THE Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 clubs in the Football Pyramid we hereby confirm that the legal status of WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB is as not for profit private members club.

Any gain arising from the carrying on of the Club shall be applied for the benefit of the Club or for some charitable or benevolent purpose or purposes approved by resolution at a general meeting of the Club.

To contact the club please use the club website: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Main Club Sponsor:

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Welcome to MAINE ROAD Good afternoon and welcome to Brookburn Road for today’s Hallmark Security Premier Division game against our friends and neighbours from Maine Road.

We welcome their officials,players and supporters and we hope you enjoy our hospitality today.

Once again the two clubs have been proactive in moving the fixture back 24 hours to try and maximise the attendance. 12 months ago we tried the same experiment and Maine Road were rewarded with a bumper crowd in excess of 360 including non league fans from all over the Northwest. We would be absolutely delighted with a similar response today and we extend a special welcome to any fans making their first visit to our ground today. Additionally at this time of year we hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and we would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

Our visitors arrive here today in 12th position, 5 points behind us but with 2 games in hand, so we are well aware of the importance of today’s game. As with all local derbies, form tends to go out of the window and we know we will have a difficult 90 minutes ahead and will have to be at our very best to win the 3 points. Last seasons 2 derbies produced 2 narrow 1-0 away wins and in fact our home record against Maine Road is poor to say the least, as we have never beaten them here at Brookburn Road, so today would be a good time to break our duck.

Our recent results have seen an upturn in form. After a creditable performance at Radcliffe Borough in the Lancs Trophy saw us narrowly defeated on penalties we deservedly beat Winsford here 4-2 in the league with Saul Henderson (2) Matty Kay and Carlos Mendes Gomez on target. We then produced an outstanding performance away at Glossop in the Manchester Premier Cup when we came from a goal down to defeat the Evostik NPL high flyers 4-2. Among the highlights were a terrific defensive effort in the 2nd half backed up by a superb performance

by Deano in goal, and 2 quite brilliant strikes from Nic Evangelinos and Jonny Poizer. Our reward is a semi-final at FC United of Manchester on 7 February which is one to look forward to. Our most recent game saw us gain a narrow victory 2-1 at Hanley Town thanks to another quality goal

by Nic and a Pottsy header from a corner.

We must take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Winsford game, players officials and supporters who responded in magnificent style to our request for donations to the Chorlton and Didsbury food bank. By kick off a mountain of food items had accumulated in the club house and we are sure the food donated will be distributed to deserving causes.

Who’s up next?

Our next fixture is at AFC Liverpool on New Years Eve 31 December with an earlier kick off at 1pm and we would love to see as many of you there as possible. Our first game of 2017 is here on Saturday 7 January against New MIlls before we visit Atherton Collieries on the 14th.

The details of the Easter ground hop have now been released and we will play Congleton Town here on Monday 17 April with a 2.45 kick off. Full Groundhop fixtures appear later in the programme.

Enjoy the game, and a safe journey home to all after the game.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Steve Settle’s Notes Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Brookburn Road for this Premier Division fixture against our neighbours from Maine Road.

I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of my management team and the players to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’d also like to extend the warmest of welcomes to our friends from Maine Road and we wish you well for 2017!

Chris has done a great job over the past couple of years with Maine Road and they go about trying to play in the right way. Knowing Chris as I do I’m sure his team will be well prepared for today’s game and the lads will have to be at their best in order to get the right result. They are just 5 points behind us with a couple of games in hand so todays game is really important in the context of our season.

We come into today’s game on a bit of a renaissance in our season. Following the last home game against Winsford, a game in which we won comfortably 4-2, we have won on the road at Glossop and at Hanley. The win at Glossop was an excellent achievement. Not least because they are riding high at the top of the league above us. I have said for a long time that lots of our team have the ability to play higher and, whilst we have seen that recently with Ash Woods move to Trafford, the rest of the lads stepped up and proved that they are very capable. In addition to this, the result sets up a brilliant fixture away to our friends at FC United of Manchester in early February.

The remaining semi-finalists are Stalybridge and Salford City so to find ourselves in that National League North company is something of an achievement. I’m sure our lads will relish playing on a carpet in a purpose built stadium in front of a large crowd.

Last Saturday’s away win at Hanley was equally pleasing. Hanley are a ‘combative’

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team and some of our talented players were the target of some physical challenges that stretched the laws of the game.

The referee was on first name terms with their management and players and sometimes this can produce excuses for a poor performance. As it happened we completely dominated the game and with more clinical finishing would have won the game comfortably.

The challenge for the lads as we approach the New Year is to maintain this run of form and get back into the top 6. Last season we went on a phenomenal run from Christmas onwards and we are hoping to replicate that this year. In order for us to keep progressing we must surpass or points total of 68 from last year.

Just over halfway in the season we are on target to surpass this target.

As we close 2016 I’d like to take the opportunity to personally thank all of my management team, the committee of the club, our players and our ever growing number supporters for continuing to drive us forward.

We are all pulling in the same direction which is brilliant to be a part of! Additionally can I extend festive greetings to you all and wish you well for 2017!

As always, thanks for the support!

Setts

NWCFL Premier Division – Results (after 17 December)

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Radcliffe Borough 1 West 1 (lost 3-1 on pens) Match report Tuesday 6 December West’s 2016 Lancashire Trophy run ended at the quarter final stage following a penalty shoot out defeat away to Radcliffe Borough.

West made several changes to the side that lost in the final kick of the game against Congleton Town on Saturday as they were able to welcome back Anthony Potts, Joe Shaw and Rick Gleave into the starting line up with Carlos Mendes Gomes taking his place on the bench. However, there were no places for Nic Evangelinos or Ben Woods who’d succumbed to injuries in Saturday’s game.

Mark Rogers was also unavailable for selection.

Manager Steve Settle opted for an attacking line up as Saul Henderson and Jonny Poizer forming a striking partnership up top with Matty Kay, restored to an attacking role after being asked to sit in deep on Saturday, just behind them. Martyn Andrews was restored to the midfield as Jordan Poole partnered ‘Pottsy’ at the back.

The game started at a ferocious pace with both sides and it was West who created the first chance as Henderson did well down the left crossing to Shaw who laid it off to Gleave whose first-time effort was struck just wide of the post.

The opening quarter of an hour saw both sides cancel one another out until Gleave laid off a drilled pass to Andrews with a back heel and he saw his effort deflected just wide of the top corner. From the resulting corner Kay found Poole at the edge of the area and his first time effort was deflected just wide of the post with the goalkeeper only able to watch. Another cross, this time from Andrews, found the head of Poizer but he couldn’t quite divert his header of on target.

Radcliffe were limited to long range efforts as twice West goalkeeper Dean Williams was able to watch long range efforts roll wide of the post as a first half of few chances was more than made up for in intensity.

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Whatever was said to the home side at half time had the desired effect as they immediately stepped up a gear heading over from a corner after an initial flick on before seeing another effort fired just wide of the post. They were rewarded on 50 minutes when a low cross along the six-yard box found Jack Hindle unmarked at the back post and he drilled it into the bottom right corner.

West almost responded immediately as Henderson found Poizer with a cross on the penalty spot; Poizer did well to chest it down but his shot was fired into the ground and could only bounce wide of the post. Settle introduced Carlos Mendes Gomes in place of Poizer to inject some pace into the game and immediately did so beating his marker to a through ball and winning West a corner.

However, the referee gave a goal kick and compounded his mistake by showing substitute Settle a red card in response to his protest.

In his absence, Head Coach Steve Brockley made two further changes as he brought on Ben Steer and Rob Black in place of Saul Henderson and Rick Gleave. Steer immediately found Pottsy with a long throw but the West captain could only deflect the ball wide of the post.

The game’s turning point came in the last 10 minutes as Mendes Gomes was again released down the left with a superb through ball only for him to be brought down inside the area with a terrible two footed lunge from the Radcliffe right back leaving the teenage winger in a heap on the floor. Despite such an obvious foul the referee chose to give only a corner as West were left to persevere with 10 players with Mendes Gomes taking several minutes to return to the game.

West weren’t to be denied and with 5 minutes remaining Shaw won possession back in the Radcliffe half with a superb tackle and immediately played in Steer. The young West striker drove forward, jinxed past his man before firing a hard effort into the bottom right

Match report continued… hand corner; a superb strike and no less than West’s play merited.

Four minutes of stoppage time ensued and Radcliffe almost retook the lead as Glenn Relezika flashed an effort barely wide of the post but it would take penalties to separate the two sides.

The game headed into a penalty shootout and it was the impressive Martyn Andrews who was tasked with the fist kick for West. However his low penalty wasn’t struck hard enough allowing the Radcliffe goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan into a comfortable save low to his left. The first Radcliffe penalty was struck hard by Raul Correia down the middle but Dean Williams was able to superbly block the shot with a strong right hand diving to his left.

The second West penalty was coolly dispatched by Matty Kay sending the Ryan the wrong way as he placed his penalty into the bottom right hand corner. Williams could do nothing about the second Radcliffe penalty as he was sent the wrong way and the shot confidently drilled inside the right hand post by Callum Grogan.

Joe Shaw was West’s third penalty and his penalty was low to the keeper’s right and the Radcliffe stopper did superbly to push it onto the post. Radcliffe made it 2-1 as the third penalty was fired into the bottom right hand corner by Conor Ready, again sending Williams the wrong way.

Jordan Poole was West’s fourth penalty taker and became the third West player to miss as his penalty down the middle was saved by the legs of Ryan to put Radcliffe on the verge of victory. Victory was secured for the Evo-Stik side as Elliot Rokka gave Williams the eyes and rolled his penalty into the bottom right hand corner to hand Radcliffe a place in the Semi Finals of the Lancashire Trophy.

Radcliffe Borough v West match action…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History of Maine Road The club was formed in 1955 as ‘City Supporters Rusholme’ when our past Chairman Frank Thompson and a few friends formed a team and after playing a few friendlies, joined the local Rusholme Sunday League. In the late sixties the club changed to the Manchester Amateur Sunday League and also moved its headquarters to the newly built Maine Road Social Club and hence the new name Maine Road FC was born. Ronnie Meredith was now running the club and in 197172 we won the Manchester County Sunday Cup and both the club’s sides won their respective leagues. This prompted Ron to look for a new challenge and he changed the whole future of the club by moving to Saturday football in the form of the Manchester League.

Success followed success on the field and after several years of moving grounds we settled on our present home at Brantingham Road in 1980.

After a lean spell, one of Ron’s ambitions was realised in Season 1983-84 when we won the Manchester League Premier Division. In fact, we won the league four years running. Derek Barber took over the managerial reins in 1986 and the clubs progress continued so much that, when the Manchester County FA’s new complex at Brantingham Road was built, Ron’s other ambition was achieved; entry to the Bass North West Counties League. In only our second season (1989), we finished runners up to Vauxhall Motors. Regrettably we were denied promotion due to ground grading, so in 1990 we went one better to win the 2nd Division Championship and take our rightful place in Division One. In Season 1987-88 we beat Irlam Town 1-0 at Maine Road (home of Manchester City) in the Manchester Premier Cup to complete a unique record in the Manchester County Competitions by winning all five County Cups. The five Manchester County Cups are Premier Cup (1), Amateur Cup (5),

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Sunday Amateur Cup (1), Intermediate Cup (2), Challenge Cup (4).

At the end of Season 2001-02, after twelve seasons in the top division, Maine Road were relegated to the 2nd division. This was the first time a Maine Road side had ever been relegated and we hope it will be the last. After two seasons in the 2nd division under the guidance of Chris Simms when our very young side finished 3rd and runners up, we returned to the top division, (2004) and the club finished 8th and 10th in the following two seasons. The arrival of Ian Walker as manager (2006) saw Maine Roads improvement continue with 3 top 6 finishes in 4 seasons and the winning of the prestigious League Challenge Cup (2008). In 2012-13 John Morrey/Chris Thomas took over the managerial reins and in 2 seasons continued the improvement with a magnificent runner up spot (2013), followed by a 4th position (2014). Chris Hirst in his first full season of management has finished in a very creditable 12th position with a very young & inexperienced team. Maine Road has a long and proud reputation for attracting young players to the club. This began in the late 1980’s, which brought a succession of fine young players to the club. This success in spotting and nurturing the best young talent has continued over the past decades with Maine Road’s domination of the Umbro International Tournament at Under 19 level. Over 11 seasons our Under 19’s has taken on and regularly outplayed talented youngsters from around the world. They have won the competition an amazing 6 times and been runners up 3 times.

The record set by the team of 2003 may never be surpassed when 8 of the squad regularly played 1st team football in the same season.

Another factor in the continued success of the club is the outstanding loyalty shown by many players. The best examples are the appearances made by the following players Ian Walker 637, Chris Simms 556, Gordon Woods 465, John Morrey 421, Robin Gibson 386, Alex Jay 382 and Neil Chappell 377 (The top 5 players have also gone on to run the first or reserve teams).

Another amazing record is that in our 60-year history we have had only 9 managers of which 8 have been ex players.

Today’s Match Sponsors - THE DIDSBURY BLUES Our match sponsors today are The Didsbury Blues Official Supporters Club which was established in July 2008 and now has around 300 members.

The club welcomes new members from anywhere in the world and runs 2 double decker coaches from Didsbury to ALL home games (both league & cup matches), from The Fletcher Moss & Royal Oak Pubs.

A coach is also run to most away games, with match tickets also being obtained for members. The club also holds monthly meetings, regular social events, and takes part in charitable activities (most notably Didsbury Festival), making year-round substantial donations to a wide range of charities. This year the club has again been instrumental in supporting the Didsbury Christmas Lights.

The Didsbury Blues' Official Supporters Club meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month (unless City are playing) at locations in Didsbury. Please check details on the website for our next meeting.

For all enquiries please email: tickets.didsbury.blues@gmail.com

www.didsburyblues.com

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Glossop North End 2 West 4 Match Report Tuesday 13th December West advanced to the Semi Final of the Manchester Premier Cup in a thrilling 4-2 win away to Evo-Stik First Division North side Glossop North End. Manager Steve Settle made several changes from Saturday’s win against Winsford United as Mark Rogers made his first start since September whilst Jonny Poizer was drafted in place of Saul Henderson at the 11th hour after it was discovered that the striker was cup tied.

The home side asserted their influence on the game in the early stages as they were backed by a vocal home support as the opening stages saw a tightly contested game in the downpour.

Glossop took the lead on 14 minutes when Glossop cleared a Ben Steer throw in breaking down the left through Ashley Mulholland who drew out goalkeeper Dean Williams before selflessly squaring it to Mike Norton to tap home.

The goal did nothing to dissuade West and they levelled on 36 minutes when Steer’s throw was flicked on at the far post and it fell to Joe Shaw who reacted quickest to roof it into the net beyond a helpless Matt Cooper.

Two minutes later West went close again as a long ball over the top fell into the path of Nic Evangelinos chipping the keeper with the keeper doing well to clear. However the clearance only reaching Matty Kay whose superb whipped in cross found Evangelinos at the near post who did brilliantly to side step the keeper and forced Cooper into a fine save at the near post.

It was a sign of things to come as West moved the ball quickly across the edge of the penalty to Evangelinos. The West striker opened up his body and curled a superb effort into the top corner from 20 yards out; it was a sensational strike. The lead was short lived as two minutes later a low cross from the right hand side was turned in at the near post by Ashley

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Mullholland to draw the former NWCFL Champions level.

Four minutes of stoppage time saw West almost retake the lead as Matty Kay did superbly on the right and his hard low effort was met by an equally superb fingertip save from Cooper.

The second half was just two minutes old before the first chance and it fell to the home side as Norton was allowed to be left unmarked at the far post but somehow his shot was turned round the post from Williams. West took full advantage as two minutes later Poizer lobbed Cooper with a sensational strike from 30 yards out. A real goal of the season contender.

Falling behind galvanised Glossop as an effort flashed just wide of the post immediately following the goal. Shortly after the hour mark Glossop fired over twice in quick succession before Paul Socha was called into action to make a superb block on the line with his chest. On 65 minutes a long ball down the left released substitute Mark Reed, Williams did his best to close him down but somehow Reed’s shot rolled agonisingly wide of the post.

Glossop continued to pile on the pressure with West forced to sit deep and soak it up as the home side pushed more men forward. The goal wouldn’t come for the home side but it did for West, in stoppage time, as a ball on the left released Evangelinos, who drew the keeper off his line and calmly fired it past him at the near post to set in the travelling support into raptures. At the final whistle West were applauded off by both sets of supporters.

The reward is an away tie in the Semi Final against National League North side FC United of Manchester in February.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

Support your local club and show your support with our latest official club merchandise!

New for this season at £6 (£5 for club members and supporters’ club members) we have beanie hats and a club crest scarf. There are now more ways than ever to buy club merchandise as in addition to being able to purchase on match days our new online club shop is open. Simply log on to www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk today to purchase what you want and have it delivered straight to your front door!

Wrist bands £1, Mugs at £5, Key rings at £1, Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50 Programme Back Issues

Follow News Updates on West via Twitter and Facebook!

Can’t make it to the game and want live match updates? Wanting the very latest news from the club on the move? Make sure that you log onto our Facebook page for all the latest news, views and updates on all things West Didsbury & Chorlton by clicking on www.facebook.com/WestDidsburyChorlton Alternatively you can follow on the very latest goings on the club with exclusive content by logging onto Twitter and following us @WD_CFC (picture of club badge)

Ground Safety In the interest of spectator comfort and safety, the following conditions apply at the clubs Brookburn Road ground and must be observed at all times.        

In case of fire or other emergency that requires the clubhouse or ground to be evacuated instructions will be given over the public address system, and we ask that you comply with those instructions immediately.

The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.

Glasses, bottles, gas canisters, knives, darts, tools, flag poles or any other articles likely to cause injury are not permitted into the ground.

Alcohol may be purchased and consumed in the bar area only.

Children are not allowed in the Club House unless accompanied by an adult.

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.

Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.

All forms of transport on the clubs car park is at the owners’ risk.

The club reserves the right to remove any person from the ground who is in breach of these rules or whose presence is a source of danger or annoyance to others. We hope you understand the reasons for the above are in order for the game to be enjoyed in safe and pleasant conditions.

Thank you, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Committee.

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 4 Winsford United 2 Match Report Saturday 10th Dec The Annual West ‘Christmas Miracle’ lived up to its billing as a bumper crowd of 251 witnessed a thrilling 4-2 win overly struggling Winsford United.

West made three changes from the side that exited the Lancashire Trophy on penalties in mid-week as Nic Evangelinos replaced Jonny Poizer, Carlos Mendes Gomes replaced Rick Gleave and debutant Kevin McGrath replaced Paul Socha taking his place alongside Anthony Potts, with Jordan Poole moving to right back.

Buoyed by the occasion the home side were out of the traps early as a Matty Kay corner found McGrath at the far post as his header was cleared off the line after just two minutes.

Three minutes later Evangelinos won back possession for West crossing to Kay in the penalty area whose first time effort curled millimetres past the post. West’s early pressure was rewarded on eight minutes when Saul Henderson’s header flicked the ball onto Evangelinos down the right with the winger doing superbly to take on his man and fire a hard cross along the six yard line allowing Kay to stab it home at full stretch. It was Matty Kay’s 9th goal of the season.

West went in search of a second as a 15th minute corner found McGrath whose header was pushed away by Langley in the Winsford goal with Potts managing to hook the loose ball into the path of Mendes Gomes but he flew over from a narrow angle. Winsford responded as goalkeeper Dean Williams was forced to push a hard effort from the edge of the area round the post.

West made it 2-0 on 26 minutes as a Winsford goal-kick was hit straight to Henderson, the young West striker did well to hold off defender Lee Duckworth and power and effort into the bottom right hand corner beyond a helpless goalkeeper. Two minutes later it was 3-0 as Evangelinos and Kay combined before the ball was blocked into the path of Mendes Gomes who fired it beyond Langley clipping the near post before nestling in the back of the net.

Winsford continued to create chances as they refused to give up with Williams pushing another effort round the post after a Winsford free kick had initially been blocked by the wall.

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Henderson almost added a fourth just before half time but was denied by a good block from the Winsford keeper at his near post.

The second half was barely 20 seconds old before Winsford pulled a goal back through Scott Taylor as a cross deceived Williams and flew into the net. Two minutes later West almost restored their two-goal lead as a superb cross from Poole found Henderson unmarked at the far post but he could only head into a grateful Langley’s hands. Seconds later a terrific through ball from Evangelinos released Henderson again but the ball sat up and the West striker fired well over the bar.

Winsford, inspired by the goal, forced Williams into a good save at his near post before creating a triple chance as McGrath and Potts were both called into blocks before Williams dived on a loose ball. The game became an end-to-end affair as McGrath clipped a corner onto the outside of the post following Joe Shaw and Evangelions combining for a quick free kick which saw a goal-bound effort deflected just over. On 54 minutes Winsford had their best chance as a cross to the far post found the striker unmarked but he headed over. The miss was punished in the fullest by West who added their fourth as West combined at the edge of the area and Henderson powered home from 12 yards out.

Possibly with Tuesday’s trip to Glossop in mind Settle rang the changes as Ben Steer and Jonny Poizer replaced Matty Kay and Nic Evangelinos. The two combined immediately as Steer’s long throw found Poizer whose header rolled inches past the post from 6 yards out. On 72 minutes Mendes Gomes broke down the left playing in Henderson and another superb save from Langley denied him his hattirck. On 82 minutes he was again denied the hat-trick as he rounded the keeper and from a narrow angle tried to walk it into the goal but was denied on the line by a last-ditch tackle.

With 5 minutes remaining Winsford pulled a goal back when Sam Parr headed home at the far post from a corner. However, West weren’t to be denied the three points and were able to see out the last minutes without trouble to record a valuable home win.

West v Winsford United Match Action

Thank you to our Match Sponsor for the Winsford United game…

Dave Cooper

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

2016-17 First Team Stats results – appearances – goalscorers

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2016-17 First Team Stats results – appearances – goalscorers

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

The Christmas Miracle 3 The Christmas Miracle is the annual game when Matthew Britton and Pete Jones brilliantly promote a game. This year was no exception as a great crowd of over 250 attended!

Pete has reflected on the event and the build-up in this article... explaining that every game West play is special, but the aim of the annual event is to add an extra festive twist to proceedings to entice supporters away from the Christmas shopping and get them to a game. Why nearly kill yourself on Market Street trying to find that perfect gift when you could be roaring on Stevie Settle’s boys?

This year we welcomed Winsford Town to beautiful Brookburn Road for the Christmas Miracle III featuring free beer in return for a food bank donation.

The weeks leading up to the Christmas Miracle are spent refreshing the BBC weather page and kicking ourselves for planning an annual event in peak postponement season. Fortunately, the weather Gods smiled on us for the third consecutive year and the game was looking likely to be on so planning could start. Rob McKay (Club Secretary and all round good guy) was enticed to the pub and plied with enough Krombacher that he would agree to any of our ideas, a plan was written, a sponsor found (thanks to Musco Tours AKA The West Berlin Fan Club) and before we knew it, the day was here.

I awoke on the day of the game with the usual pre match nerves...will anyone turn up, what if we only get three cans of beans for the food bank, what if Winsford are actually half decent? As soon as I left home, all these fears vanished. On the march down to Brookburn Road I popped into the Beech Inn where West fan Barca Jim was selling

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The fantastic donations for the Chorlton and Didsbury Food Bank collected at the game.

Christmas Trees, he handed over a massive bag of food for the collection. This was good; we weren’t even at the ground yet and donations were flooding in. My arms were also aching as Jim had been very generous and I famously have no upper body strength.

Once in the warmth of the club house, the players began to arrive. Matthew blushed as he was forced to speak with his heroes as one by one they handed over donation after donation for Chorlton and West Didsbury food bank. Deano brought 4 bags full which he had collected from lots of friends, Jordan Poole filled a trendy designer bag full of food and Rob Madden brought in whatever was on sale in his Costcutter Store on Sandy Lane (20 tins of spaghetti hoops no less). It wasn’t just sauce drenched hoops though, there were selection boxes, Christmas puddings and even some really fancy pasta from Italy, never underestimate just how middle class West can be at times.

By the time two volunteers from the foodbank arrived, we already needed to find supplementary storage for the donations. A TV crew arrived from a local Salford TV

channel and interviewed Matthew and Stevie Setts whilst our always generous fans brought in more donations and enjoyed their free drink. With all the excitement, 3pm came round quickly and the game was on.

The Christmas Miracle got the West performance it deserved. Our boys were insatiable in the first half tearing into a threegoal lead with Evangelinos pulling the strings and Kay, Mendes Gomes and Henderson firing home the goals in front of a delighted Shed End covered in West flags. Winsford fought back in the second half with an early goal before Henderson added his second of the match. A late Winsford consolation meant the final score was 4-2 to West. As with all West matches, the Krombachers flowed and the off-field entertainment was just as enjoyable as the game. With 20 minutes remaining, the fans camped in the Rob Turley stand noticed a solitary figure doing laps of the pitch. This hardy soul decided that to keep fit he would jog round the pitch and each time he passed the Club House, a roar went up to cheer him on.

The full-time whistle meant it was time to pop back into the club house for victory beers and to enjoy the junior West team asking some probing questions of Stevie Settle and Mark Rogers. The fans demanded to know why super striker Ash Woods had been

allowed to leave for Trafford and Settle navigated the probing questions like a wellseasoned politician. A fantastic end to a lovely day With an event like this, there is always some thank yous to make. Firstly, to the club’s committee who embraced the idea and indeed for their ongoing tireless work to run the football club. Never underestimate how much work goes into every match at Brookburn Road. The players and coaching also arrived with huge quantities of food and went on to put on an excellent performance.

We were also blown away by how the supporters embraced the day too, it’s been incredible to see so many new people of all ages. coming down to Brookburn Road in 2016. Finally, a big special thanks to our sponsor Musco Tours without whom you wouldn’t have had a free beer. If you do ever need a to hire a tour manager or splitter van, do get in touch with Paul and tell him West sent you.

We’ll see you in 2017 for the Christmas Miracle IV. If you have any feedback on this year’s game or any idea for future matches, please do get in touch to petemjones85@gmail.com or mbritton2@gmail.com

Confirmation of Hallmark Security League Groundhop games…

We are delighted to announce the fixtures which will be held on Easter Sunday and Monday On Easter Sunday, 16 April  Ashton Athletic v Squires Gate 11.00am  St Helens Town v City of Liverpool 3.00pm  Runcorn Town v Barnton 6.30pm Easter Monday, 17 April  Atherton Collieries v AFC Darwen 11.00am  West Didsbury & Chorlton v Congleton Town 2,45pm  Maine Road v Abbey Hey 5.45pm

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Today’s Mascot … Shay McDonald We are pleased to welcome Shay to lead the team out today.

To get to know Shay better we asked him six questions: 1. What team do you play for: I play for West’s under 6's.

2. What is your position in the team: I like to play in goal 3. What school do you go to: I go to Oswald Road Primary School 4. What team do you support: WESTS and Man United 5. Who is your favourite professional player: David DeGea 6. Who is are your favourite West players: Gary Lilley & Dean Williams

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Premier Division Attendances so far this season (17 Dec)

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‘The South Manchester Derby – the biggest game in football.’

There’s only been one Premier League game that has ever been played on Christmas Eve and I was there, 7 years old. The day before, my mother had informed me that she had an early Christmas present to give me, and my instinct upon hearing the news was to immediately run up to my room and cry heavy tears into my pillow. Outside of Leeds United fandom and On This Day twitter accounts, not many people will remember Howard Wilkinson’s boys taking apart Manchester United 3-1 at Elland Road - but for me, it remains the greatest gift I’ve ever received.

Growing up in Bradford during a period where Leeds were absurdly dominant over our local club (and, luckily, moving away before the Bantams got promoted to the Premier League and it all went to pot for the whites), the big derby game that I looked forward to each season was the one against Manchester United.

As a child, these games take on a ridiculous importance that - for some - spills into adulthood, at which point it turns into bitter Facebook posts, the loss of friends, punch ups in pubs, or something in between. But for me, it was something that brought myself and my mother closer together. The love of us, the hatred of them, and the David vs Goliath feeling of it all - the siege mentality that had cemented our single parent family condensed into something physical; 90 minutes of kicking against a world that didn’t seem to much care for us, shouting and chanting into a void and, occasionally, even a victory.

At around the age of 11, myself and my mother moved to Manchester, brought here by the only man I’ve ever known her to love. At that point, the derby games turned into something else entirely: we now lived in a house split just right of the middle. On one side, myself and my mother; the other, my two step-brothers and

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Matt Britton

step-dad. A Leeds - Man U game now longer just provided an opportunity to bond, it now meant bragging rights both at home and at school for 6 months. The opposition was no longer the universe, but friends and family; the result no longer existential, but something to be bantered over during morning break.

Over the past few years, Leeds fans as a whole have struggled to work out what game should be the central point of our season relegation having long since robbed us of annual trips to Old Trafford. The obvious choice would be Huddersfield, but after years of them being less than nothing to us, we wouldn’t want to give them the satisfaction.

Sheffield Wednesday would work too, but we’d be trying to muscle in on their intercity rivalry with United. Who else? Rotherham? Norwich?

Brighton?

I still love Leeds, and always will - the club is metaphor for my mother, for all we went through, for the bond that brings together single parent families in those early years. But, as I approach 30, there’s only one set of fixtures that I look out for when the lists are published at the season’s start - West Didsbury & Chorlton vs Maine Road.

About a 30 minute walk separates West’s home of Brookburn Road from Maine Road’s ground at Brantingham Road. There’s no seismic divide upon that route, no battle lines where the West scarves stop and the Maine Road ones begin. People don’t brawl on the terraces, or spend their work week worrying about the patter they’re going to have to deal with if their boys lose on Saturday, but for me the South Manchester Derby is the biggest game in football.

I’ve been coming down to West for around 4 seasons, off and on; I’ve been a season ticket holder for the last 2. I’m nearly thirty now neither myself or my mother ever made the

move back to Bradford that I used to fantasise about as after Leeds losses when I was younger. Instead, we’ve built our own infrastructures around us to replace the ones we left behind in Yorkshire. For me, a lot of my support structures are somehow coloured by West Didsbury & Chorlton. It is a place where friendships have been firmed up, or created anew; where, if you pop down enough times, everybody knows your name.

I’m yet to start a family of my own, but I’m at that age where it’ll undoubtedly be coming at some point soon. Until then, West is a fine surrogate. As much as I would love for us to pump Maine Road each and every time we play them, the game is about more than results, or bragging rights: it offers a chance to show who we are, what we stand for, and to add more anecdotes to be recounted in the bar after every home game.

Last Christmas, there was no announcement of an early Christmas present, no tears. Instead, myself and some fellow fans met early, recounted tales of how our festive period had gone, congratulated each other on another

year successfully navigated, and then marched down to Brantingham Road. Huddled together in the cold, chanting songs we’d made up on the fly, we saw Matty Kay rifle in a goal from close range and went ballistic. We got nervy as West struggled to put the game to bed, and even more antsy as Maine Road started to dictate.

We counted down the seconds until full time, pitifully attempted to whistle in an attempt to encourage the referee to do the same for full time. When he finally did, we danced, we hugged, we swung our scarves above our heads in celebration. As the players came over the thank us, we chanted WEST & WEST & WEST & WEST until we were almost hoarse, and then we went for a pint to talk about everything that had happened in a mostly drab 1-0 away win for West, but one that meant the world to us. It still makes me well up thinking about it - and that’s why I’ve spent every day since August counting down to West vs Maine Road, the greatest derby in the M21 postcode and possibly the world.

Action below from our last game, notice Matt with the WDC scarf in the crowd!

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Sponsor a Player - ÂŁ50 Player sponsorship is a great opportunity for you, your family, or your company to show your support both to the club and a particular player. This will appear throughout the season in every Match Day Programme and on the club website: www.westdidsburychorton.co.uk Dean Williams

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NWCFL League Tables after games on 17 December

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The Hallmark Security League – Premier Division Monday 26th December fixtures:

1874 Northwich v Winsford United Abbey Hey v Irlam AFC Darwen v Padiham Atherton Collieries v New Mills Barnoldswick Town v Nelson Barnton v Cammell Laird 1907 Bootle v AFC Liverpool Congleton Town v Hanley Town Runcorn Linnets v Runcorn Town Squires Gate v Ashton Athletic Tuesday 26th December fixture:

WEST v MAINE ROAD

First Team Appearances this season…

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Around the league…from last Saturday’s games… with Ian Templeman Festive spirit in abundance around the league It’s been great to see so many of our clubs involved in charitable work and fund raising for good causes recently.

In the past week alone, Atherton Collieries have released a video to raise money for local charity Ben's Wish, Barnton players have reached their fundraising target for Ward 77 at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, and a number of clubs have been organising collections at games for their local foodbanks.

In the season of peace and goodwill to all men, it’s very heartening that so many of our clubs are committed to working hard to help the less fortunate among their local communities.

Go West West Didsbury & Chorlton are the latest of our clubs to move into the semi-final of a County Cup competition, and they did so in fine style with a 4-2 win at Glossop North End to secure a place in the last four of the Manchester Premier Cup. West now have a plum tie against FC United of Manchester to look forward to in the New Year, and having shown some fine form away from Brookburn Road this season, the game will hold no fears for Steve Settle’s men.

LR’s lucky thirteen One team who will go into Christmas in good cheer are Atherton LR, who ended a run of 12 games without a win (if you discount a penalty shoot win in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy) at the thirteenth attempt with a 1-0 victory over Carlisle City at Crilly Park on Saturday.

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It’s not been an easy season for Shaun Lynch’s men, but they will be hoping that Saturday’s hard fought win will give them a much-needed boost as we enter the festive season.

Golden Gate The glorious unpredictability of football was demonstrated once again with Bootle’s 2-0 home defeat to Squires Gate on Saturday.

It’s fair to say that it was a result that turned the form book upside down, given that it was only the second time this season that the high scoring Bucks have failed to score in a home game, only their second home defeat of the season, and this against a Gate side who had won only once in 12 games, albeit they had already won the earlier fixture between the two sides on home soil.

Gate may be in the lower half of the table, but their ability to pull off a result like that against one of the form teams in the league will not have gone unnoticed by their future opponents in the coming weeks.

Storks on a roll They may have been a little bit under the radar up to now after a slow start to the season, but when you look at league fixtures only, Padiham are on a hot streak of form at the moment.

Saturday's win over Congleton Town was their eighth successive league win and their tenth in eleven league games, and not surprisingly it's a run that has moved them up into 6th place and on to the fringes of the promotion race.

Slowly but surely, the Storks are becoming a Premier Division force to be reckoned with.

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.

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Tuesday 27 December 2016 West Didsbury & Chorlton White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

Dean Williams (G) Richmond Botchey Jordon Poole Martyn Andrews Mark Rogers © Kevin McGrath Anthony Potts Nia Bayunu Paul Socha Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Carlos Mendez Georgi Whyment Joe Shaw Saul Henderson Ben Steer Rob Black Nic Evangelinos Carlos Mendes Gomez

Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Maine Road Sky Blue Shirts, Socks & Shorts

Ryan Livesey Joel Senior Josh Tinker Louis Edwards Jon Mason Jamie Roe Rory Breslin Matthew Morgan Rich Williams Callum Broady Christie O’Brien Joe O’Brien Ryan Steele Jack Blundell Dominic Chatfield Daniel Burgess

Managers: Chris Hurst Assistant:

OFFICIALS Referee: Patrick Mahon Asst. Referees: Darren Brown & Andrew Mills

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