Main Club Sponsor:
2013/14 SEASON
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2
Premier Division 19 April 2014 – 3.00pm
Norton United
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) Kit Manager: Jon Barton
Club Secretary
Reserve Team
Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441
Manager: Robert Madden 07730 655446 Asst Manager: Jim Hines
Membership Secretary
Club Coaches
Chairman
Monica Creer 0161 881 1135
Treasurer
Kris Mahon – First Team Tony Holmes – Goalkeepers Joel Hudson – Reserves
Dave Cooper 07961 063195
Physio Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley 07788 112909
Community Development Davy Iredale
Publicity and Web John Churchman 07720 508082
Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397
Paddy Murphy
‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale 07939 392828
Youth Team Manager Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401
Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903
Vets Managers Chris Smith 07867 171815 Steve Fisher 07595 678937
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
http://www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FF
Editorial
Norton United
WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE LEADERS Today is our last Saturday home game this season and we are pleased to welcome the current league leaders and promotion favourites, Norton United, to The Recreation Ground. Norton have had a very consistent season and been poised for a charge towards the title for some time. In recent weeks they have overtaken other challengers like Runcorn Linnets and Glossop North End and by the end of last weekend had gained an impressive 90 points total from 38 games, 7 points ahead of second placed Runcorn and 11 ahead of Glossop with each having 4 games left before this week’s midweek games. This is the third game between our two clubs with honours even with one win each to date. Last season at the end of October, when we were in the First Division, we won the second round League Challenge Cup game 3-1, but earlier this season Norton edged home 1-0 in a very tight midweek game at their ground on 1st October. There is a huge amount to play for again today as Norton aim to secure promotion, but this is also another big test for WEST and another chance to show just how far we have come this season after our difficult start. We welcome Norton and their supporters to today’s game and trust they have an enjoyable visit and a safe return journey back down the M6. Last Saturday we fully deserved our 3-2 away win at Stockport Sports and but for the frequent story of missed chances the margin of victory could have been higher. The win took us past the 50 points target for the season with 3 games remaining including today, and is a great achievement for Andy and the squad as we’ve set out to consolidate this season after the recent years of successive promotions with largely the same personnel. That result lifted us back into 10 th place and it was nice to get another away win after a few recent disappointments on the road. REMAINING FIXTURES – THE SOUTH MANCHESTER DERBY v MAINE ROAD! After today there are two games left, firstly back here on Easter Monday at 3pm against near neighbours Maine Road, who have also had an excellent season having been in the top 4 virtually all season and also reached the Challenge Cup Final on 1 st May. This will be a fitting climax for our home campaign and we look forward to seeing you again then. We then complete the season’s League programme next Saturday, 26th April with an away trip to Silsden along with the reserve team who are also away at Silsden then. OTHER UPCOMING GAMES Next Tuesday evening the youth team are at home in a Tameside League semi final so why not come down and support the lads then. We are hosting 2 further finals for the Manchester Saturday Morning League; one on Wednesday evening at 7pm and then the Manchester Evening News Final on Saturday 3rd May at 10.30am. You will be very welcome at any of these games. OTHER NEWS We have received acknowledgement of the application for our reserve and A teams to join the Cheshire League next season, following the decision of the NWCFL to disband the reserve division. Cheshire League representatives will visit our facilities shortly and then they have a Special Meeting on 23rd May when the clubs will decide on proposals for considerable expansion of that league. We have also applied for the u-18’s youth team to join the North West Youth Alliance League and to compete in the FA Youth Cup next season. Both competitions will help our lads to progress and develop and provide them with stern competition next season. That’s about it for another season but we hope to see you again on Monday and in the meantime ENJOY TODAY’S GAME. Rob Turley Cover: Ben Simpson in action. Thanks to Mike Fryer for match pictures used in the programme & website.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
View from the Dugout Good afternoon and welcome to today’s fixture against champions elect Norton United. Unlike most of our visitors this season Norton have been here before with a visit in the League Challenge Cup last season where we overcame a very resolute side 3-1 in a hard fought game. Then there was a division between us and today they arrive with us sharing the one; although not for much longer as our opponents stand on the verge of putting one between us again with their impending ascension to the Northern Premier League. It’s not all over though and I will have had a phone call from my friends at Runcorn Linnets asking for a favour and a home victory today. Not that my lads will need any motivation as they are all determined to finish the season on a high and with a top half finish. We travelled to Norton United on a Tuesday night in November and although we lost 1-0 we gave as good as we got, against one of the best sides we have played in this division, in a game played at a furious tempo and never once let up. In addition, we also have a proud home record to maintain where we have been very difficult to beat this season. In our last game here against Colne we fell behind in a first half which must rank as one of our most disappointing of the season but we came out second half and looked like a side capable of winning the game. Steve Settle levelled with a rare header after a wonderful cross from Callum Jones and there was only ever one side going to win it after that. Scott Mason, Callum Schofield and new arrival Derek Ubah all had gilt edged chances to win it but we couldn’t find a way through as we currently only have one recognised striker since Lee Malkin’s move to Glossop North End and Tommy Walsh’s broken cheekbone will see him miss the rest of the season. This is the first game of an Easter weekend double header and on Monday we face Maine Road here in the return South Manchester Derby. Although this is a new fixture to us local derbies are always great occasions to play in and one of the reasons we get into football. If you have a spare couple of hours I hope you can join us back down here for our season home finally. I would like to finish by welcoming the players, officials and supporters of Norton United and wish you all a safe journey home after today’s game. Andy Nelson Picture shows Mark Rodgers congratulating Rick Gleave after his second goal last Saturday.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current pitch side board sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
First Team Match Reports‌ Saturday 5 April: West 1 Colne FC 1 Colne arrived at The Recreation Ground for the first time sitting a few places above West in the table and in a decent run of form. However, the first half of the game was a pretty dour affair with both sides giving away possession and struggling for cohesion and it was some 20 minutes before an attempt at goal from either team. The first effort came from Richmond Botchey who fired over the bar from a central position outside the area and we then had to wait another 10 minutes for the next attempt when Steve Settle was played in by Tre only to inch wide of the far post as he tried to curve the ball across the Colne keeper. Colne then went ahead after 33 minutes with their first serious attack and as the ball was played through the centre of the West defence their debutant Max Jones nipped in to slide the ball into the net as Ben Simpson came off his line. The only further incident of note was a Baldwin Willis shot on the turn which was too near the visiting keeper. West looked a bit jaded after the midweek hike to Barnoldswick with the returning Mark Rogers looking remarkably bright despite having just stepped off a plane from Australia a few hours earlier. The second half was a totally different affair with West on the front foot from the restart. Alex Baird had a half chance on the edge of the area in the opening minute but his shot bobbled just wide. Colne responded with a counter attack which was cleared for a corner which was easily dealt with and West began to dominate possession and look dangerous going forward from wide positions. After 53 minutes Steve Settle found Scott Mason with a great pass into the danger area but Mason blazed over the bar from 6 yards with the goal gaping. Then another run down the right saw a Botchey cross deflected for a corner. West were not to be denied and more pressure saw the ball run loose on the left wing where Tre collected the ball to turn quickly and hit a superb cross field pass to Callum Jones advancing down the right. Callum steadied himself and put a dangerous cross in to the back post where Steve Settle flung himself into the air to head home a great equaliser on 55 minutes. West had grabbed hold of the game and pressed on at every opportunity forcing some last ditch heroics from the visitors to keep the scores level. Derek Ubah came on for his home debut and his height and awareness caused further problems for Colne. Callum Schofield went close with a header from another corner after 68 minutes and 5 minutes later Ubah headed over when unmarked. Mark Rogers was unlucky with a carefully placed shot from 20 yards which again was just wide and then Botchey had another effort cleared off the line. Tyler Ferguson came on for the closing stages replacing the tiring Botchey who had given everything and forced another corner late on. This resulted in another Ubah header over the bar as the stubborn Colne defence held out for a point. West were left to reflect for the second successive home game on what might have been after a commanding second half performance. Saturday 12 April: Stockport Sports 2 West 3 Despite missing several key players West recorded a thoroughly deserved win in an entertaining game away to Stockport Sports. The Saxon’s were the divisions form team with four wins in their last five games. On another day with better finishing the margin of victory would have been much greater. Rick Gleave scored two, one a penalty and the second a clinical finish from a great passage of play. Tre Baldwin Willis scored the other with a beauty from distance. A full report is in the Maine Road programme on Easter Monday WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
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
History‌ Norton United Norton United Football Club came into existence in 1989 and joined the Staffordshire Senior League. The club played at Norton Cricket Club and still does to this day. The club laid solid foundations during the first two years and in 1991-92 gained its first success with a win in the League Cup with a victory over Redgate Clayton in the final. We also came runners up two years later. Success started to come more regularly and our first Championship was in 1997 when we completed the double of League and League Cup- beating Adderley Green in the final by 2 – 0. In 1999 the Team won the League and completed the Double by winning the Staffs FA Vase with a win by 2 -1 over Wolverhampton Casuals. The Championship was won by Christmas as we gained maximum points and we finished the season with only one defeat. The Club won the Championship for the third time in 2001 and with it promotion to The North West Counties League. In 2011/12 promotion to the Premier Division of the NWCFL was gained and we won the NWCFL First Division Trophy. We now enter the FA Cup and The FA Vase and we have had some success in both competitions and have travelled to some new places and met new clubs. In 2011/12 season we reached Round four of The FA Vase and also the semi final of the League cup. There have been some significant improvements at Norton United FC over the last few years. We have been able to have the pitch re-laid and a new drainage system installed. The playing surface is now fantastic and allows top quality football to be played. In 2006 a grant was obtained which allowed a junior pitch to be built and all of our junior teams are now able to play on the club grounds. The all weather surface was upgraded at the same time and another considerable sum was spent on the main pitch. Last season saw the completion of the new changing room block. The shell was acquired from Stoke City and the interior was the result of grants from the Football Foundation and the Coal Board Regeneration Trust.! The second team now plays in the Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division and the third plays in the First Division of the league, and both comprise of young players most of whom have made their way through the junior teams at the club.
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Thank you to our last Match Sponsor… Dave Cooper We are very grateful to Dave for sponsoring our last home match against Colne FC. And also for the work he does as treasurer and around the club.
We are on the lookout for Club Helpers. CAN YOU HELP? Our club is dependent on the time and effort of volunteer helpers who act as club officials, manage and staff the bar and clubhouse on match days, produce the match day programme and undertake a host of other tasks around the clubhouse and grounds. Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please contact us at www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com
March 200 Club Winners This month the three winners are: £100 winner: N Cusack £60 winner: D Scanlon £40 winner: L Renforth The 200 Club is a key source of revenue for club, would you like the chance to be winner. Why wait? For a monthly subscription of just £2 you will be in the next draw.
Youth Team Update… Sunday 13 April: West 4 Radcliffe Juniors JFC0 WESTS win title with four games to spare in their first season together. Their next target is to remain unbeaten in the league and add the Cup for a great double. More to follow in the next programme.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers
Unused substitutes in the FA Cup:
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
NWCFL Premier and Reserve Division Tables Table correct as of 14/04/2014
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Reserve Team Report… Saturday 12 April: West 1 Glossop North End 4
Glossop North End were the latest visitors to the Recreation Ground for the return leg of the League Trophy. This was the fifth time these to teams have met this season with West still to record a win against the high flying league leaders. West began the better of the two teams putting pressure on the Glossop defence from the off. They got their rewards in the 7th minute when Endo forced his way through the Glossop defence and struck the ball beautifully into the top corner of the Glossop net. West continued to press and in the 25th minute should have made the score 2-0 when Zeeshan played a ball through to Mat Zajac who's shot just cleared the bar. Glossop nearly equalised but for a great save by Paul Hughes from point blank range. They did equalise in the 35th minute following a West corner that was cleared down field, the Glossop winger beating the West full back played the ball to an advancing forward who slotted it past the advancing keeper. The sides going in at half time 1-1. West came out in the second half in a positive mood and continued to attack the Glossop defence coming close on several occasions from shots by the West forwards. Glossop again hit West on the counter attack in the 50th minute with a ball played from their right across field to the Glossop left winger who played a low ball across the West box for the Glossop forward in slot in form a yard. The West heads did not go down and should have had a penalty when Theo was fouled in the penalty area, only for the referee to adjudge the infringement to have been just outside the box. From the resultant free kick Carl Worthngton curled the ball round the wall only for the Glossop keeper to make a very good save to put the ball out for a corner. Kyle Hendley took an in swinging corner which just went wide of the far post. West had much of the second half but could not quite get the second goal they needed. With the game heading towards full time Glossop again played a long ball, the West defence appealed for offside and allowed the forward to cut inside and score. Deep in injury time West still arguing about the third goal switched off and allowed Glossop to attack down the middle and score an 4th goal. West didn't deserve to be beaten on their performance but need to learn from their mistakes and play for a full 90 minutes. Rob Madden
‘A’ Team Update… Saturday 22 March: Unicorn Athletic 5 West 1
Another disappointing performance led to the A team being beaten for the third straight game. Although enjoying the lions share of possession a failure to deal with Unicorn's set pieces led to a score line that didn't truly reflect the competitiveness of a game played in terrible conditions. The only bright spots on a miserable day saw the returning Andrew Farren smartly finish from close range and another assured performance from young Amarni Coleman, firstly at left back and equally impressive in central midfield. Our next fixture sees us visit Unicorn again on Saturday this time in the cup and anything less than a huge improvement will effectively see a promising season peter out as we head into the business end. Nick Grimshaw WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Statistics…Correct as of 01/04/2014
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Recent action… Top: West defending against Colne and below Rick scoring from the spot against Stockport Sport.
Our last first team home game kicking off at 3pm…
Monday 21st April v Maine Road WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
WHAT’S OUR
STORY?
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 3 rd 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 promises to be another testing season as the club adjusts to life in the NWCFL Premier Division, improves its spectator facilities, adds new grass pitches and youth teams as part of its development plan, and aims for long term consolidation and stability at this level whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.
NWCFL Premier Division Saturday 19th April 2014 – Today’s Squads
Norton United
West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC
Ben Simpson (GK)
Red/Black Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks and Pale Blue Socks Dan Roberts (GK)
Callum Jones
Adam Dawson
Scott Jones
Jack Watson
Anthony Potts
Richard Smith (Capt)
Mark Rogers (Capt)
Tom Winkle
Graham Kay
Jonathan Beaumont
Callum Schofield
Chris Baker
Tre Baldwin Willis
Mark McDonald
Rick Gleave
Lee Cropper
Tommy Walsh
Leigh Skellern
Steve Settle
Niall Green
Richmond Botchey
Kyle Diskin
Sam Mitten
Lee Talbot
Scott Mason
Jamie Skellern
Danny Summers
Michael Marren
Matty Kay
Tom Fogg
Mark Woodcock
Ben Clarkson
Tommy Hendley
Scott Dundas
White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks
Derek Ubah
Manager: Andy Nelson
Manager: Scott Dundas
Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle
Assistant: Steve Chadwick
OFFICIALS Referee: Richard Woodward
Assistants: Andrew Coop & Owen Williams
NEXT HOME GAME Easter Monday 21st April 2014, KO 3.00pm WEST v Maine Road