West Didsbury & Chorlton v Bootle

2014/15 SEASON / MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2.00

Official Club Sponsor

NWCFL Premier Division

BOOTLE Saturday 10th January – 3.00pm

WELCOME WELCOME

to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President

First Team

Brian Cripps

Glyn Meacher 07905 431526

Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Mgr: Steve Settle (coach) Asst Mgr: Steve Eckersley (admin) Match Secretary: Rob McKay 07706 302397

Club Secretary

Reserve Team

Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Manager: James Plowright 07900 332825 Asst Manager: Jim Hines

Membership Secretary

Club Coaches

Chairman

Monica Creer 0161 881 1135

Treasurer

Rob Madden – First Team Tony Holmes – Goalkeepers Joel Hudson – Reserves

Dave Cooper 07961 063195

Physio Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Paddy Murphy Magdalena Maria

Community Development

‘A’ Team Manager

Head of Fundraising

Davy Iredale

Danny Iredale 07939 392828

Publicity and Web

Youth Team Manager

John Churchman 07720 508082

Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397

Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401

Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903

Vets Manager Chris Smith 07867 171815

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.

CLUB INFO… To contact the club please use the club website

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE

EDITORIAL

Bootle FC

Today we welcome Bootle, our first visitors of 2015, and a side who are very much on the up in recent weeks since we last played them in November.

Bootle are a club with a long tradition and proud history in the NWCFL and going into today’s game they sit above us in 8th position thanks to a very good run of form including 4 successive recent wins against Alsager, Congleton, AFC Liverpool and last weekend 5-0 against Bacup.

Our first encounter against Bootle was a couple of seasons back when we were in Division 1 and lost 1-2 away in a close contest in the Challenge Cup. Last season we were soundly beaten at Bootle in August as we adjusted to life at this level and then in November won a 7 goal thriller 4-3 here at home when Tommy Walsh, Rick Gleave and Graham Kay were the West scorers. We are also destined to meet again the quarter final of the Challenge Cup on 14th February when we have been drawn at home but before that we have the important task of getting back on track today after our narrow defeat away at Ashton Athletic last weekend. There was very little to choose between the sides but two defensive slips on a difficult surface saw the home side take full advantage whilst at the other end we couldn’t convert the few chances which came our way. That ended a good run of form from ourselves which started with a deserved and hard earned 2-1 away win at Bootle on 8th November which saw us go 7 games unbeaten in league and cup up to last weekend.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Especially over the Christmas period when our local derby against Maine Road saw a crowd of 220, our second highest this season. It is really encouraging to see our local supporter base growing steadily and our average attendance is ahead of this time last season. We had a lot of very positive feedback from Didsbury Blues Supporters Club who sponsored the game and fully enjoyed their hospitality and an entertaining game and a fair result.

We will continue to promote games locally as best we can and also respond positively to any suggestions we receive which might improve your match day experience.

Looking back on 2014 it has been a fantastic achievement to consolidate our position as a Premier Division club and we have much to look forward to for the rest of the season as we aim to better last season’s points tally as well as the last 8 of the Challenge Cup and the return of today’s visitors.

Anyway, to use the old cliché let’s take one game at a time and look forward to a good game this afternoon.

We extend a warm welcome to all our visitors today, both from Bootle and beyond and wish everyone a safe return journey after the game.

Rob Turley Thank you to James Lobley and Graham Currey for providing the pictures in the programme today.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

From the Dugout…

Hello and a warm welcome to today’s game and also to our opponents Bootle FC. Today is somewhat of a preview for February’s League Challenge Cup Quarter Final and I’m sure our opponents will be as keen as ourselves to collect three points today and ensure they have the upper hand going into that game.

Our Christmas fixture here was a terrific occasion as we had more than 200 watching a very entertaining derby against our friendly rivals, Maine Road. Both teams were keen to play their football, despite the tough conditions, and although we’ve played better this year, we created enough chances to won several games at 2-1 but we missed them and we were punished in the worst way. The final minutes were end to end and a 2-2 draw was probably a fair reflection on the game.

At Ashton Athletic, we played well again in difficult conditions and we dominated possession for much of the game. However Ashton proved why they are a top three team with clinical finishing and a terrifically organised team and showed us just how fine the margins are between the mid-table and the top six.

If today is anything like our meeting here last season then we are in for a cracking game today. Having been handed a 5-0 lesson in August we met again here in November and raced into a 4-1 lead with some of the best football we played all season. However Bootle never gave up and pulled it back to 4-3 before a nervy ending as is a typical trade-mark of Liverpool non-league football, they never gave up and pushed us to the end.

Enjoy the game.

Andy Nelson

The club’s committee Wish all involved with the club: management, players and supporters the very best for 2015

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 2 Maine Road 2 match report‌ West and Maine Road met for the third time in competitive action and played out an entertaining draw in front of a bumper crowd. The crowd of 220 contained people travelling as far away as Norway to be part of the South Manchester Derby.

West manager Andy Nelson was without Captain Mark Rogers and Vice-Captain Anthony Potts through suspension, Scott Mason through illness and Nick Evangelinos. Nelson was able to call upon Christopher McDonagh for the first time in six games.

West started the game slowly and were behind on 11 minutes with the game’s first meaningful chance as Jack Langford's through ball released Connor Hughes who calmly finished low onto the on-rushing Jordan Hitchen to give the visitors the lead.

Matt Eckersley had the home sides first chance of the game with a long range effort shot well wide from outside the area. However West were on level terms on 16 minutes when Gary Lilley picked the ball up in midfield, advanced forward and fired a low shot into the bottom left hand corner from 25 yards. It was Lilley's third goal in three consecutive games.

Road had the games next chance as a wickedly curled free kick flew inches past the post.

However it was West who took the lead as Kieran Brocklehurst was deliberately tripped on the break away. Adam Hilton stepped up and cannoned his free kick into the top left hand corner from 35 yards to give West the lead on 37 minutes. A real contender for goal of the season and West led 2-1 at the break.

In the second half West flew out of the blocks with four terrific chances in the first five minutes but they couldn't extend their lead. Brocklehurst fired a good chance over after terrific play from Hilton on the right. Brocklehurst then turned provider as he skinned the Maine Road left back on the by-line but his pull back to Callum jones was blasted over from the West full back from less than 5 yards. Hilton almost doubled his tally when he ran from the half way line, beating three players, cutting inside but his shot was then blocked at the edge of the area.

On 55 minutes it was 2-2 as Maine Road Josh Tinkler was allowed to advance with the ball more than 40 yards, he played a one-two at the edge of the area and his shot cannoned off the inside of the post. Unfortunately the West defence failed to react and Tinkler was able to tuck the rebound home for the equaliser.

At the other end, West continued to make chances as Brocklehurst waltzed his way through the Maine Road defence and forced Road goalkeeper Ryan Livesey to make a good save at his near post. From the corner Lewis Schofield's cross deceived everyone and clipped the top of the bar.

Jordan Poole came on for Christopher McDonagh with Lewis Schofield into the middle. The move sparked a frantic few minutes as Schofield curled a superb effort onto the bar from more than 30 yards out which the Road keeper could only watch.

West continued to press but couldn't find the winner but could be thankful they could still collect a point as Maine Road missed a one-on-one in the dying seconds, despite huge suspicions of offside. However a draw was a fair reflection in an entertaining encounter that means West are now unbeaten in NWCFL competitions since November 3rd.

Rob McKay

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

West v Maine Road match action…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

FOOTBALL REMEMBERS At our game versus Maine Road we had a mixed group photograph comprising the players of both teams prompted by a FA initiative called Football Remembers, commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Christmas Truce in 1914. The picture from James Lobley is below.

The MEN UNITED Cup The Men United Cup is in support of the campaign currently being run by The League’s Official Charity Partner, Prostate Cancer UK. Paul Lawler, League Development Officer, said: “The North West Counties League was delighted to link up with Prostate Cancer UK at the start of this season, in order to raise awareness of the Men United campaign and highlight the great work Prostate Cancer UK is currently doing in raising awareness of Prostate Cancer within the football community.

The draw for the Quarter Finals of the MEN United Cup has been made following the Runcorn Town v Cammell Laird 1907 game.

Glyn Davies and Alan Bennett conducted the draw, with John Deal and Dave Tomlinson supervising.

The draw is as follows:

West Didsbury & Chorlton v Bootle AFC Liverpool v Runcorn Town 1874 Northwich or Colne v Atherton Collieries Glossop North End v Squires Gate The ties will be played on Saturday, 14th February 2015

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Congratulations to our first NWCFL centurion…Pottsy Just a week after the club registered their 100th NWCFL game in a 2-2 draw against Maine Road, club vice-captain Anthony Potts celebrated his 100th appearance for West since joining the club In the summer of 2012. It has been two and a half years of accomplishment for ‘Pottsy’ since scoring on his debut against Chadderton on August 8th 2012.

In his first season at the club as well as helping the club secure promotion to the Premier Division, he lifted the 1st Division Trophy and rounded off his first season as the winner of the Players ‘Player of the Season Award’.

In his second season, as well as guiding West to a club record league best 12th in the NWCFL Premier Division, he scored the clubs second ever FA Cup goal in a 2-0 win against Abbey Hey and again collected the Players ‘Player of the Year’ for the second successive year.

The Breakdown: 87 NWCFL games, 2 League Challenge Cup, 4 First Division Trophy, 3 FA Cup, 3 FA Vase, 1 Lancashire Challenge Trophy Goals: 6, 5 league, 1 FA Cup

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Ashton Athletic 2 West 0 match report…

With a side ravaged by illness West began 2015 with a 2-0 defeat away to high flying Ashton Athletic. West were without Jerome Bryson and Lewis & Callum Schofield with Mark Rogers & Scott Mason both battling through a virus as they looked to start off 2015 in positive fashion.

Anthony Potts and Mark Rogers returned to the starting line-up after their respective suspensions with Potts making his 100th appearance for the club..

West started brightly, despite the pitch conditions in which the Ashton ground staff must be commended for getting the game on at all, and had the first chance of the game as Gary Lilley fired a shot wide of the goal from the edge of the area. The opening minutes of the game provided few chances as both teams tried to get to grips with the pitch conditions but the impressive Kieran Brocklehurst had West’s best chance of the first half when he fired a low shot just past the post on 8 minutes.

Ashton’s first chance of the game came on 10 minutes when Danny Regan broke the offside trap and lobbed the onrushing Jordan Hitchen but his shot landed on the roof of the net. West continued to press as Adam Hilton, Matthew Eckersley and Brocklehurst combined for some superb build up play but couldn’t supply the final ball. The next chance came West’s way as Scott Jones whipped in a superb cross to the far post where only a brilliant last ditch header prevented Brocklehurst from scoring. The next chance fell to Hilton as he curled a free kick wide from the edge of the area.

Ashton Athletic took the lead against the run of play on 28 minutes when the referee awarded a soft free kick at the edge of the area, the initial free kick was blocked by Potts but West failed to react to the rebound and Danny Greene finished low into the bottom corner to make it 1-0. The controversial moment of the half came as the home side appealed for handball outside the area

by Hitchen, West almost made them pay for their protestations as West immediately went down the field and Hilton almost levelled flashing a chance wide. However, West could not find the break through and went into the half time break behind.

West came out for the second half and began as they had done in the first half dominating the midfield, passing the ball well in the final third but without forcing the home side’s goalkeeper into making a save. The best move of the opening minutes of the second half came when Hilton was played into the penalty area on the left by Scott Jones but fired his shot into the side netting at the near post.

The second goal again came against the run of play as a loose ball was launched downfield, Potts went to clear but slipped on the half wine line allowing Adam Gilchrist to race down the left unchallenged and play a forward pass to Mike Downing on the line who tapped it in to protestations of offside from the West backline.

The second goal galvanised Ashton Athletic with West manager Andy Nelson introducing Scott Mason and Steve Settle into the proceedings. Mason’s first contribution was to whip in a corner to the near post where Mark Rogers met it on the half volley which went wide of the far post.

On 80 minutes, West finally forced the Ashton Athletic keeper into action as Brocklehurst forced him into a good save at his near post pushing a shot wide for a corner. From the resulting corner Brocklehurst went close again with an overhead kick flashing over the bar.

At the other end Ashton grew in confidence, hitting West on the break, and almost made it three when they had three chances blocked by West tackles in a frantic goalmouth scramble. West had a penalty shout turned down at the end as Settle was hauled down inside the area, however the referee deemed it outside the area and Mason blasted the free kick over from 20 yards and Ashton were able to run out the clock to secure their second win over West of the season.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Ashton Athletic v West match action…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Today’s Match Sponsor: Pennant

Thank you to our last Match Sponsors - THE DIDSBURY BLUES The Didsbury Blues' Official Supporters Club meet on the 1st Wednesday of every month (unless City are playing) at locations in Didsbury. The next meeting is on: Wednesday 7th January 2015 at 8pm at The Nelson pub, 3 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury M20 6TN. , nelson inn, matches, tickets, For all enquiries please email: tickets.didsbury.blues@gmail.com

www.didsburyblues.com Match Sponsorship Packages start at ÂŁ100 and include 2 features in the match programme, free admission for two people with half time refreshments.

Can you or the company you work for help support the club by sponsoring a game?

We are looking for game sponsors for our remaining home games. Please ask the committee for more information if you are able to support us in this way.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

History ‌

Bootle FC

Original club The original Bootle F.C. were formed in 1880 and played at Hawthorne Road. In 1889/90 Bootle became founder members of the Football Alliance. That season was their most successful as they finished league runners-up, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they lost to Blackburn Rovers (0-7).

When the Alliance merged with the Football League in 1892, Bootle became founder members of the new Second Division. However, despite a respectable 8th place final position, the club dropped out after one season (and were replaced by neighbours Liverpool) and seemingly disappeared due to financial problems.

Football returned to Hawthorne Road when a new club, Bootle Athletic. was later formed with the new team initially playing in the Liverpool Leagues. In 1948 when they were elected to the Lancashire Combination 2, which they won at the first attempt. However, they struggled in the top-flight and after several tough seasons withdrew and folded during the 1953/54 campaign.

Modern club In 1953, the current club was formed at first as Langton and played in the local leagues. After a very successful spell in the Liverpool County Combination (which they won on numerous occasions) the club reverted back to its better known identity of Bootle F.C. in 1973 and a year later joined the Lancashire Combination, which they won in 1976 and 1977. They then joined the Second Division of the Cheshire County League, which they won in their first season, and were promoted to the First Division.

In 1982 the Cheshire County League was one of the leagues that merged to form the North West Counties League, which Bootle duly joined, becoming a member of the First Division.

The club spent most of their time in the First Division until 2000 when they dropped into the Second Division. However, despite finishing 6th in 2002, the club dropped into the Liverpool County Combination.

In 2006 they were elected back into Division 2 of the North West Counties League. In 2009 Bootle won promotion to the NWCL Premier Division and also won the Championship. The Bucks first season back in the Premier Divison was relatively sucessful finishing 3rd in the league and also a sucessful run in the FA Vase. Bootle`s attendance record was also broken when 1088 (previously 750) watched the Liverpool senior cup tie between the Bucks and Everton.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Can YOU Help?

Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please talk to a committee member or contact us at: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk.

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: Peter McKay £60 winner: John Webb £40 winner: Zeki Istanbul

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

The next games at Brookburn Road…

Saturday 24th January Saturday 14th February

3.00pm – West v St Helens Town 3.00pm – West v Bootle – MEN Cup

Saturday 31st January 3.00pm – West Reserves v Altrincham FC Res. WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL League Table’s… after games on Saturday 3rd January

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Hardy Farm Update‌ You will have noticed the continued development adjacent to the ground on Hardy Farm. This area is now being used as a warm up area for both teams on a match day to protect the pitch during the winter.

The area will have two full size and two junior pitches which have been marked out recently and this means the youth team and veterans can play their home games here from January, using the clubhouse changing rooms and lounge. We are also fitting out new changing rooms at the new car park at Hardy Farm so that the A team can commence playing their Cheshire League fixtures there from January.

This means we will be able to bring all our existing teams together on one site and literally fulfil our 'one club' Vision providing football for all.

We are also progressing plans to merge with our junior partners for next season and they will also be using Hardy Farm pitches and car parking as their base.

The facilities at Hardy Farm will comprise new changing rooms for teams and match officials and the new pitches will be used on Saturday and Sundays. This means we will no longer need to hire so many pitches elsewhere but we will have more maintenance work for our grounds men Ian and Andy. They are working hard and busy putting the final touches to the area and we will also see new hedge planting in the new year.

We then have some further work to do on the building at Hardy Farm as well as here at the ground.

The completion of these new facilities has been a few years in the making but the enlarged community club is critical to our long term future. We will have football for boys and girls from the soccer skills for the very young, under 8 to under 16 junior age group junior teams, youth and veterans whilst continuing with A team reserves and first team football on Saturday afternoons.

Exciting times and opportunities lie ahead as we aim to build a self sustaining and viable community football club. We want to be playing at the highest level we can both locally, regionally and nationally in FA completions like the FA Cup, Vase and Youth Cup. We look forward to building our local supporter base further and to providing enjoyable experiences for our players and our fans. www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Cheshire League results and fixtures - Reserves and A Team Reserves 27th Sept 4th Oct 11th Oct 18th Oct 25th Oct 1st Nov 15th Nov 22nd Nov 29th Nov 6th Dec 13th Dec 20th Dec

Warrington Reserves - Cup Altrincham FC Reserves Ashton Town Reserves Pork’s Pantry - Cup Wythenshawe Town – Cup FC Woodford Moore United FC Cuddington FC Irlam FC Reserves Cheadle Town Reserves Altrincham FC Reserves Wythenshawe Town

(A) (A) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A)

0-3 (L) 1-3 (L) 2-4 (L) 0-2 (L) 0-7 (L) 1-4 (L) 4-1 (W) 6-1 (W) 5-1 (W) 1-1(D) p-p 0-8 (L)

A Team 27th Sept 4th Oct 11th Oct 18th Oct 25th Oct 1st Nov 8th Nov 25th Nov 29th Nov 6th Dec 13th Dec 20th Dec

Eagle Sports Reserves Wythenshawe Town Reserves Styal Reserves - Cup Southport Trinity - O Eagle Sports Res – Cup Moore United FC Res Rudheath Social FC Res. Golbourne Sports Cuddington Reserves Wythenshawe Town Reserves Cuddington Reserves Denton Town Reserves

(A) (H) (H) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A)

6-5 (W) 5-3 (W) 7-1 (W) 2-3 (L) 1-6 (L) 3-0 (W) 4-4 (D) 3-1 (W) 2-4 (L) 1-5 (L) p-p 2-2 (D)

North West Youth Alliance results and fixtures for the Youth Team 28th Sept 12th Oct 19th Oct 26th Oct 2nd Nov 9th Nov 16th Nov 23rd Nov 14th Dec 21st Dec

Langho Salford City FC Youth ST Helens Town Runcorn Linnets - Cup Chester FC Colts – AFC Fylde Salford City FC Youth .

Bolton Wyresdale AFC Bolton Wyresdale AFC Chester FC Colts

(H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A)

3-4 (L) 2-4 (L) 6-1 (W) 0-2 (L) 3-1(W) 2 -1(W) 4-3 (W) 1-0 (W) p-p p-p

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Appearances and Attendances‌ after Saturday 3rd January

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Statistics after games on Saturday 3rd January

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Join the action and support your local team…

Please sign up on the poster in the clubhouse to get the number you want from those remaining…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Week’s Results & Upcoming Fixtures…

RESULTS Friday 26th December 2014 Premier League 1874 Northwich 0-1 Winsford United AFC Liverpool 0-1 Bootle Glossop North End 6-0 Stockport Sports Runcorn Linnets 2-1 Runcorn Town Squires Gate 1-0 AFC Blackpool

First Division Atherton LR 2-0 Litherland REMYCA Barnton 6-1 Wigan Robin Park Cammell Laird 1907 3-1 Northwich Flixton Villa Daisy Hill 0-5 AFC Darwen Eccleshall 2-1 Ashton Town Holker Old Boys 5-2 Hanley Town Oldham Boro 0-5 Atherton Collieries Rochdale Town 2-2 Chadderton Widnes 2-2 Irlam

FIXTURES First Division Atherton Collieries 4-0 Atherton LR Hanley Town 1-1 Eccleshall Holker Old Boys p-p Wigan Robin Park

Tuesday 6th January 2015 Liverpool Senior Cup Qtr Finals Bootle v Tranmere Rovers

Saturday 27th December 2014 Saturday 10th January 2015 Premier League Abbey Hey 3-0 Bacup & Rossendale Borough Colne 2-0 Nelson Congleton Town p-p Alsager Town Silsden 2-0 Barnoldswick Town St Helens Town p-p Ashton Athletic WEST 2-2 Maine Road First Division AFC Darwen p-p Rochdale Town Ashton Town p-p Daisy Hill Cammell Laird 1907 p-p Widnes Chadderton p-p Oldham Boro Irlam p-p Cheadle Town Litherland REMYCA 0-2 Barnton Saturday 3rd January 2015 Premier League AFC Blackpool 2-2 AFC Liverpool Ashton Athletic 2-0 WEST Barnoldswick Town 1-2 Abbey Hey Bootle 5-0 Bacup & Rossendale Boro Maine Road 1-0 1874 Northwich Nelson 3-3 Squires Gate Runcorn Town 3-0 Congleton Town Silsden 2-2 St Helens Town Stockport Sports p-p Alsager Town Winsford United p-p Glossop North End

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Premier League 1874 Northwich v Ashton Athletic Abbey Hey v AFC Blackpool AFC Liverpool v Alsager Town Colne v Runcorn Town Congleton Town v Glossop North End Nelson v Maine Road Runcorn Linnets v Bacup & Rossendale Boro Silsden v Winsford United Squires Gate v St Helens Town WEST v Bootle First Division Ashton Town v Litherland REMYCA Atherton LR v Barnton Cammell Laird 1907 v Oldham Boro Daisy Hill v Irlam Holker Old Boys v AFC Darwen Northwich Flixton Villa v Chadderton Widnes V Atherton Collieries Wigan Robin Park v Cheadle Town Staffordshire FA Vase Qtr Finals Eccleshall v Sporting Khalsa Stone Old Alleynians v Hanley Town

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

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.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

A Brief History…

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 played friendlies at first and then in the Manchester Alliance League until the First World War 1914. 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 that League did not permit a name suggesting association with any other body. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A, staying 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 the L+C League until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way.

The home ground from before 1914 until the mid 1980’s was Christie Playing Fields, and then the owners, Manchester and Salford Playing Fields Society, gave the club notice to quit having decided to sell off the land for commercial development – now ironically called ‘Christie Fields’ office park.

After several years’ nomadic existence searching for a new home, the club acquired the redundant and overgrown Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road in 1996, and began to restore this to active use and 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. Work was completed in time to start the 1997-98 season using excellent new changing rooms and clubhouse facilities aided by a Lottery grant, new sponsors and members’ fundraising, but without a penny from the Playing Fields Society sale proceeds.

Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect the new location in Chorlton and the club was then elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 West won its first Manchester League silverware 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 2008/09 West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final. won their League.

With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, 2009/10 was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield (the third consecutive year in the final) and was league runners-up. The reserves 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 65 points out of 72 possible. This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in Manchester League history 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 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, playing at the highest possible level it can whilst remaining financially viable.

Further improved saw floodlights erected in 2011 to meet FA requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club.

Election to the NWCFL followed in June 2012 and the club had an incredible first season winning the Div1 Trophy, finishing in 3rd position after an amazing run in during March and April to secure promotion and also winning a guaranteed FA Cup place. The over 45’s team again chipped in with Cheshire Veterans league silverware.

2013-14 saw the club meet a number of challenges on and off the field by recovering from a series of early season setbacks and defeats in August to consolidate with a very creditable 12th place league finish. Two new stands were installed to improves the spectator facilities, new grass pitches and youth teams were added as part of the long term development plan, whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.

The other historic milestones achieved during the season were the 2-0 home victory over Abbey Hey in the club’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup followed by a 2-1 first ever FA Vase victory away at NCEL Rossington Main near Doncaster in mid September. This season the club hosts Brighouse Town from the Evo Stik league in the FA Cup at the end of August having been given a walk by the FA against NWCFL new club Cammell Laird 1907.

NWCFL Premier Division Saturday 10th January 2015 – Today’s Squads West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

G’keepers Jordan Hitchen Paul Hughes Defenders Callum Jones Scott Jones Anthony Potts Callum Schofield Alex Baird Mark Rogers (Capt) Dion Battes Midfield Steve Settle Jordan Poole Gary Lilley Scott Mason Matt Eckersley Forwards Chris McDonagh Jerome Bryson Kieran Brocklehurst Adam Hilton Tre Baldwin-Willis Nic Evanogelinos Manager: Andy Nelson Assistants: Steve Settle & Steve Eckersley

Bootle FC All Blue

Jack Mano Neil McQueen Tyler Hudson David Taylor Jamie Hay Adam Burton Jay McGrane Josh Hamilton Tom Peterson Sam Wilkie Shaun Harris Conor Christianson Richie Cowderoy Michael Roberts Daniel O’Connor Emini Adegbenro

Manager: Joe Doran Assistant: Neil McQueen & Richie Boswarva

OFFICIALS

Referee: Philip Dermott Assistant Referees: John Lowe and Owen Williams