2012/13 SEASON Main club sponsor:
PROGRAMME ÂŁ1.50 First Division Saturday 15 September 2012
v Oldham Boro
WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC Club President Brian Cripps
First Team Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Mgr and Coach: Dave Conlon
Chairman Glyn Meacher 07905 431526
Reserve Team Manager: Robert Madden 07730 655446 Asst Managers: Jim Hines & Shay Casey
Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441
Physio Winston Luke
Membership Secretary Monica Creer 0161 881 1135
Club Coaches Steve Eckersley / Kris Mahon
Treasurer Dave Cooper 07961 063195
‘A’ Team Manager Chris Argent 07962 352619
Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley 07788 112909
Vets Manager Sam Hickey 07980 521988
Community Development Davy Iredale
Programme Production John Churchman 07720 508082
ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR SPONSOR Join our growing list of sponsors, we have packages to suit your budget including:
THE CLUB
● Match Day Sponsor ● Player Kit Sponsor ● Pitch Advertising (3-year period) ● Programme Advertising
LIST
£100 £50 £250 per season £50 - £100
200
The 200 club is a vital source of income and is open to anyone. A monthly standing order payment of £2 entitles one entry into the monthly £200 of prizes to be won. If you are interested in joining please contact Brian, Rob or Monica or ask for a form in the club house. The sooner you complete a form and enter the draw the sooner you could win.
Editorial
15th September 2012 – Oldham Boro
What to say in the Editorial? This is the regular question as we want to avoid the usual clichés and also repetition of the match reports and features elsewhere in the programme. We also want to be topical so for a change we are able to draw on the national press for some assistance, please refer to page 17 for more on this. Today’s visitors are Oldham Boro who we have recently played away at Atherton Collieries ground in early August. That was a good competitive game when we were pleased to get an away victory but we were made to work very hard for that and only made things safe towards the latter stages of that game after Boro staged a spirited second half fight back from a 0-2 interval deficit. Boro secretary Billy O’Neil has been a real encouragement to us in our journey to gain admission to the league and was first off the mark to congratulate us when we were promoted in June. Another familiar face amongst the Boro helpers in Jack McKay who for many years attempted to keep our forward line at bay when he played for Bluecoat OB in the Lancs and Cheshire league days. Billy and Jack and all the Oldham Boro players and officials are very welcome visitors today. Looking back on our first month of life in ‘The Counties’ we acknowledge we are on a rather steep learning curve across the club with regard to both playing standards, facilities and also club organisation and administration. Both first team and reserves are facing more travelling to away games but this is more than compensated for by the better facilities we are enjoying playing at and visiting. We have made a steady start in both divisions and have been able to hold our own in every game and also record some decent results. It is still early days but we have to be pleased with the way things have gone and work hard to keep it going as we head into the autumn and winter when pitches get softer and the going gets tougher. The help and support necessary behind the scenes for first team home games in particular is more demanding but again the effort is worthwhile when we get so much positive feedback from visiting teams, match and league officials, visiting supporters from other clubs and ‘ground hoppers’. However, here also we’ll have to work hard to attract visitors in the face of all the competing football on offer from the Premier League through to our neighbours at Maine Road. We are keen to build up a consistent local support base and as we’ve said before if you are visiting today and have any suggestions on how we can improve your match day experience here at Brookburn Road, then please speak to any of our Committee and helpers and give us your views. In the meantime enjoy today’s game and come back again next time! Thank you. Rob Turley Cover picture: Charlotte T sporting the new leisure shirt with Alex Baird and Mike Aston WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
View from the Dugout Looking back on recent weeks we’ve learned not to be fooled by appearances. Cheadle Town arrived in a range of attire that was in stark contrast to that of our smartly dressed squad for the start of our second campaign in the FA Vase and looked disorganised. This certainly wasn’t the case as they started very brightly and snapped into the challenges winning most of the 50/50’s as we failed to get out of the blocks quickly enough and conceded on 4 minutes due to some lapse defending. We drew level only to fall behind again before the break and although we started well in the second half we flattered to deceive and remained unconvincing at the back and missed chances up front. The inevitable happened when Cheadle gained in confidence and scored a 3rd goal from 20 yards to put us out in our first game for the second season running. A huge disappointment in a game that we should have won. Our midweek trip to Leek gave us a good opportunity to put more points on the board and restore confidence. We made some changes which proved positive and we were in top form right from the off and created 3 or 4 good scoring opportunities. Tre was causing all sorts of problems with his pace and power, Mike Aston was back to his best and Lee Shillito was back in form too scoring the opener. We put out the message to stay tight for 5 mins after scoring, but conceded a soft penalty following a rash challenge by Pottsy on a player with his back to goal. We have to work hard to eradicate these types of fouls as they are hurting us in every game. However, the team showed great characted and guts to go for the winner and carved out numerous scoring opportunities before Graham Bryant scored the winner. A fantastic performance by the team and it was great to see support from committee members Glyn Meacher, Rob Turley, Dave Cooper and Brian Cripps who also made the trip to Leek. After a hectic first month in the Counties we are adjusting to life at this level and dealing with the games coming thick and fast with more midweek adventures at Nelson and Bamber Bridge to follow during September. We’ve got to be pleased with the way we’ve adjusted to the Counties and our away results and form has been excellent. With only 2 home league games so far here’s hoping its third time luck today as we look for a first home league win and some more valuable points. Steve Eckersley
No way through! WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current pitch side board sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
Thank you We have made a few changes to roles and responsibilities for this season and the Committee felt it was fitting that we presented mementoes of our appreciation to BRIAN CRIPPS and MONICA CREER for the enormous contributions each has made to the life and development of the club over many years. Before the FA Vase game Glyn Meacher, club chairman, presented a decanter to Brian (wearing the blue shirt) in recognition of his many years with the club as player, manager, committee member and most recently, club Chairman. Brian’s time at West dates back to the 1960’s and he has now accepted the invitation to become our new Club President. We’ll still be seeing him both at games home and away, and enjoyed his company and penetrating match analysis from the dizzy heights of the grandstand at Leek Town during last week’s away victory at Leek CSOB. Monica Creer has spent the past decade as club secretary, membership secretary, catering manager and bargain buyer at local supermarkets. She has been continuously recognised as the person who made the most significant contribution ‘off the field’ and been awarded the Sportsperson of the year award on numerous occasions during that time. Monica is continuing as membership secretary for the entire club as well as covering mach day catering for all our first and reserve team home games and the Committee felt we should acknowledge her contribution as secretary over the past 10 years or so. Monica received a Presentation set of wine glasses at the last Committee meeting on 3rd September in appreciation of her service to the club. Both these volunteers set a terrific example of giving their time and energy in an unselfish manner and true to form, both have responded to the challenges of the new era of NWCFL football by already putting their hand in their pocket and purse and sponsoring a home game. We are very grateful to both for this generosity and look forward to their ongoing association and interest in the club, albeit in slightly different roles. The Committee
We are delighted that our match sponsor today is: Monica Creer Interested in sponsoring one of our matches? Then please speak to Rob, Steve or John – refer to details inside the front cover
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
CLUB NEWS… Wanted – Kit Manager We require a volunteer kit manager to take charge of our playing kit for home and away games in the North West Counties League for the coming season. This means assisting the management and coaching staff on match days, pre-checking and setting out playing kit prior to the game, attending to any kit emergencies during the game and then checking in the kit after the game ready to go to laundry. If you would like to be part of the dressing room team before the game and assist in this capacity then please contact us at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com
Club Helpers Our club is dependent on the time and effort of volunteer helpers who act as club officials, manage and staff the bar and clubhouse on match days, produce the match day programme and undertake a host of other tasks around the clubhouse and grounds. If you’re into football and follow City or United then why not make us your second team and be part of the experience of quality grass roots football. Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please use the same contact details as above for Rob Turley and the club.
Follow us on Twitter We will use this to provide updates and information (fixtures, news, events, link to NWCFL articles, link to website, results, photos etc). Our username is WD_CFC (picture of club badge) please follow us and re tweet information so as many people see it as possible. We have received numerous messages of support and would like to thank those who have helped to increase awareness.
Shirt Number Sponsors For as little as £20 you can sponsor a club shirt, your support will be recognised in every match day programme through the season. You’ll struggle to find a cheaper way to support your local club. Please ask one of the committee for further details or sign up on the poster in the entrance area of the clubhouse… there are only 10 shirts left so don’t delay!
This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 Neil Campbell £60 Ashley Farlow £40 Lloyd Evans Pritchard The next draw is on Monday 1st October so get a form and get signed up by the end of the month if you want to have the chance of a cash prize. Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing pictures we use on the website and in the programme.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Our visitors… Oldham Boro FC Oldham Dew F.C. was established in 1964 by George Dew, a local building contractor, as a works football team. For the first two seasons, the club played Sunday football at Platts Sports Club. After two seasons, the club moved to Saturday football in the South East Lancashire League. The club gradually expanded and sought a higher level of competition joining Manchester Industrial League and from there the Lancashire Combination League in 1981. The Lancashire Combination later merged with the Cheshire County League to form the North West Counties League, of which we were founder members in Division Three. By then the club was based at Nordens Road. In 1985 the club changed its name from Oldham Dew to Oldham Town. At the end of that season we gained promotion to Division Two. In 1992 we had to move from Nordens Road when the site was developed for housing. At that time the owners of the club purchased the former Chamber Colliery ground and club premises at Whitebank Road, Limeside. The club was developed and refurbished with loans provided by the brewery with a view to repayment without interest on the basis of beer sales. However, due to the steady reduction in sales over the subsequent years it proved impossible to pay off the loan and the brewery eventually sought recovery of the debt including interest, a sum which was far beyond the means of the club. As the brewery had a charge on the deeds, they took possession of the site and agreed to sell the land and premises to Oldham Council, who had been actively seeking a suitable location to re-house Oldham RLFC since their former home at Watersheddings was developed for housing. At that time the football club changed its name to Oldham Boro. We are presently playing in Division One of the North West Counties League – Step 6 of the non-league pyramid – as an amateur team in a semi-professional competition. Since the Whitebank Stadium was leased to Oldham RLFC, we have continued to play there, under a 3-year licence kindly arranged by Oldham Council, as tenants of the rugby club paying a rental charge for use of the facilities. In the meantime, we have been greatly assisted by the Development Officer at Oldham Council who has been actively seeking alternative sites suitable for development in the longer term. From the start of the new season in August 2012, we are obliged to find an alternative ground which meets the grading standard required to play at our present level. The rules of the Football Association require that, where clubs ground share with clubs of another sport, they must have priority of fixtures. This is clearly impossible for us as the rugby club have priority as leaseholders. As there are no grounds of the required standard available in the borough we have been obliged to seek temporary accommodation elsewhere. We have been fortunate to find a club within our league, Atherton Collieries FC, who are prepared to allow us to ground share with them as tenants until we are able to find alternative facilities within the Borough of Oldham. It is our short-term plan to return to play in Oldham at the earliest possible opportunity in order to ensure that the town retains two competitive non-league clubs, providing a route for local elite players to progress to as high a standard as possible. At present we have teams playing at under-11 and under -16 in addition to our first team and we intend to grow by the addition of further age level teams each year. In the long-term, we intend to identify and develop a suitable site to provide top-class facilities for all levels within the community. Ideally we should like to return to Limeside where there are currently no football grounds with changing rooms to accommodate the amateur clubs and primary schools in the area. We have qualified football coaches amongst our voluntary staff who would welcome the opportunity to run coaching sessions for all.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First team match reports… Saturday 1st September: WEST 1 Cheadle Town 3 We hosted our first home game in the FA Vase and were hoping for a better outcome than last year’s away trip to Wallasey when we conceded after 2 minutes. This year an equally slow start saw us in arrears early in the game.. We thought the pre-season knack of conceding goals in the first few minutes had been eliminated but we were just too slow off the mark today and found ourselves behind after 4 minutes, West fought back to equalise only to concede again from a free kick after 25 minutes. We had 3 good chances to draw level in the five minutes just before half time, and another great chance 2 minutes into the second half. Half Time West 1 Cheadle Town 2 West dominated possession for most of the second half as we fought to get back on terms but just couldn’t break down a very stubborn Cheadle defence. The second half saw Cheadle trying to weather the storm and hit us on the break which they did to good effect and all in all they deserved the victory as they took their chances and we didn’t. The opposition view: Stuart Crawford Cheadle Town Media Manager: “An excellent victory was achieved and it was a great all-round performance from everyone. “After the disappointment of being knocked out in the early stages of the FA Cup, it was nice to get a victory and earn some prize money. We now look ahead to the trip to Pontefract Collieries in the next Round of the Competition." Steve Brokenbrow Cheadle Town Manager: “It was a really good game of football, end to end, which was played in the right spirit with no bookings for either side. I thought we deserved it on the balance of play against a very strong and well organised West Didsbury side and we’re looking forward to the trip to Pontefract in the next round".
Tuesday 4th September: Leek 1 WEST 2 West travelled to Leek keen to make amends for the inconsistent performance against Cheadle Town and made a confident and assured start with Mike Aston pulling the strings in midfield and nearly reaping an early reward when Graham Bryant just couldn’t reach a through ball dissecting the home defence. Soon after Alex Baird found himself unmarked in the box just right of goal but his cross was too long and beyond our incoming attackers. Tre Baldwin Willis was impressing and on 20 minutes he was flattened by an increasingly frustrated Leek defender only for a corner to be awarded. A few minutes later Aston played in Tre again only for his clever chip to beat the keeper and run agonizingly wide. After 30 minutes Leek nearly went ahead after a poor throw out fell to their forward, but Steve Mellor redeemed the situation with a good double save. We were continuing to look the more likely to score and the last action of the first period saw the visiting support on their feet in anticipation as Lee Shillito ran in on goal but his effort soared high and wide and ended up on the A523 heading back towards Macclesfield! Continued… www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
Leek v West report continued… The second period was more of the same with West looking dangerous and in the first minute of the second half Tre was unlucky after a good solo run. On 52 minutes we got the lead our dominance had deserved when Lee Shillito rose higher than the home defence to place a neat header just inside the post – just reward for his energetic performance throughout. Regrettably the lead lasted only 5 minutes and Leek drew level on 57 minutes when their dangerous No 10 Karl Miller turned and fell just inside the box and referee Simm awarded the inevitable spot kick which Miller converted to equalise. West responded by upping the tempo and in quick succession Baldwin saw a great effort turned onto the bar by keeper Knight and then from the resultant cross Bryant headed narrowly wide. A booking for either side followed in a frantic 5 minute spell on the hour and Leek could have taken an undeserved lead soon after when their forward shot wide from 6 yards. The home side were made to pay 2 minutes later when Graham Bryant chased down a back pass and got his reward as the attempted clearance hit him on the full and rebounded over the helpless keeper to restore the lead. Further half chances to add to our advantage came and went as Shillito again went close from a great Ashley Farlow cross and Baldwin shot over following a knock down from Bryant. Leek pushed forward in the closing stages in a vain attempt to rescue a point but our defence held firm as we secured our 3rd away victory in 4 outings. All in all a great and spirited response to put the disappointment of FA Vase exit quickly behind us. It was also a nice experience to visit Harrison Park and enjoy a very hospitable welcome from all at Leek CSOB. We look forward to repaying their hospitality when they visit us at Brookburn Road on Boxing Day.
Saturday 8th September: Atherton LR 4 WEST 1 A baking hot sunny afternoon in Atherton looked to be getting better when West went ahead after 9 minutes when interplay from Aston to Shillito released Bryant who calmly slotted past the home keeper to give us the lead. This lasted a mere 4 minutes as we failed to clear our lines on the left side and a low cross was turned home past a sleeping defence for the equaliser. This gave the home side some much needed confidence [as they’d only scored 4 league goals before today] and they were ahead on 22 minutes when a hopeful long ball saw Kilbride and Mellor looking hesitantly at each other as the winger nipped between them to give the home side the lead. The next 15 minute spell of inept defending saw another two goals conceded when on 30 minutes Baird was caught in possession and when the ball was played back the shot from the edge of the area was deflected past Steve Mellor. Then, just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse it did and on 37 minutes a tame shot from 15 yards went straight through Mellor’s hands and legs for a 4-1 advantage to Atherton. Andy Nelson sensibly rang the changes at half time with Callum Jones, Mark Woodcock and Lewis Schofield starting the second half. We started to keep possession better, compete and play with some belief, and but for the woodwork a blistering 10 minute spell could have seen us level. On 53 minutes Tre Baldwin hit the post, two minutes later Woody hit the bar and then it was Danny Summers turn to see his effort hit the post and go past. On 65 minutes Lewis Schofield went close with a free kick which just went over the bar and it was 70 minutes before Atherton LR had another attempt on goal. On 75 minutes Lee Shillito had a shot blocked and after that the last 15 minutes were uneventful as the game ended without further score. The home side were applauded off the field by their supporters and West left to reflect on what was probably the worst 20 minute spell of defending in the past 3 years. Yet again we have found out the hard way that you cannot afford to dwell on the ball against teams at this level. Complacency and mistakes cost us this game with too many playing and thinking like prima donnas and failing to realise that sharp, efficient and simple football is the key to success at this level. The second half showed dramatically what was lacking in the first and what could have been had we kept the ball better after taking the lead. The one positive was the second half performance but we badly need to eradicate some very sloppy and basic errors across the team. WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Reserve team match reports‌ Saturday 1st September: Padiham 1 WEST 1 The Reserves had their first away game of the season with a visit to Padiham. The weather was excellent and the pitch like a carpet. West started well, keeping the ball and pressing Padiham at every opportunity, when we didn't have the ball we pressed the home side high up the pitch. Padiham used the slope of the pitch well and took the lead when they pumped the ball up the pitch, the bounce beating our defence, the ball dropping to the Padiham number 11 who struck the ball well into the back of the net. We were then put under a pressure with Padiham continuing to use the slope well and in the 25th minute the ball was crossed from the left and the Padiham striker jumping the highest, heading the ball from 2 yards out forcing a fantastic save from Conrad Betton making his debut in the West goal. Conrads save seemed to inspire West and who started to get a foothold on the game with Mike Kennedy, Bobby Ashcroft and Tre Willis all getting balls into the Padiham penalty area. The pressure on Padiham resulted in a number of corners, one of which was only half cleared. The ball was played back into the box with the goal keeper fumbling the ball which dropped to the feet of Alex Fawcett who forced the ball over the line. West went into the second half with the score 1-1 and having the advantage of the sloping pitch continued to put pressure on the Padiham goal. West had a number of shots, all on target and on another day would all have resulted goals unfortunately this was not to be and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. A very pleasing result against a very well organised and efficient team. Saturday 8th September: WEST 1 New Mills 2 On one of the hottest days of the year New Mills started the better putting pressure on the West goal from an early stage. New Mills got their reward in the 15th minute when from a corner West failed to clear the ball which fell to the opponents centre back who struck it first time sending it into the back of the net. New Mills continued to put on pressure closing West down early, fortunately they were unable to capitalise on their superiority and the teams went in at the break with the score 0-1. The second half saw West come out with renewed vigour and with the introduction of Chris Patterson and Tommy Walsh the pressure mounted on the New Mills defence. Against the run of play New Mills cleared the ball up field splitting the West defence, the ball bounced kindly for the New Mills forward who struck the ball well placing it passed Ben Simpson in the West goal. West continued to press the New Mills defence with Tommy Walsh coming close on several occasions. West finally got their reward when John Crimes played an excellent cross field ball for Bobby Ashcroft to chest down in the New Mills area and strike the ball first time past the stranded keeper. West continued to press and thought they had equilised when Tommy Walsh put the ball in the net only for the referee to rule the player offside. West continued to put pressure on New Mills but they managed to keep the ball out of their goal and saw the game out as 1-2 winners. Whilst West went down to their third 1-2 defeat at home the passion, drive and determination shown leaves no doubt things will get better sooner rather than later.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL fixtures 2012-2013 Division One Saturday 22nd September Abbey Hey v Irlam Ashton Town v Nelson Atherton LR v AFC Darwen Chadderton v Northwich Villa Cheadle Town v West Didsbury & Chorlton Eccleshall v Daisy Hill Formby v Atherton Collieries Holker Old Boys v Leek CSOB Oldham Boro v Rochdale Town Division One and Reserves Tables: http://www.nwcfl.com/leaguetable.php
First Team Cup games: League Challenge Cup 1 Eccleshall, Saturday 6th October 3.00pm (H)
Co-Operative Challenge Trophy First Round Draw Bamber Bridge, Date either 25th or 26th September (A) TBC
Reserve team fixtures: NWC Reserve Division New Mills Res, Saturday 8th September 3.00pm (H) Wigan Robin Park Res, 15th September 3.00pm (A) Silsden Res, Saturday 22nd September 3.00pm (H) Reserve Team Cup – Round 1 Ashton Town Res, November date TDC (H)
NWCFL News August Awards Manager of the Month Premier Division Neil Prince Bootle Division One Barrie Walker Abbey Hey Reserves Chris Prince Padiham Player and Goalkeeper of the Month Premier Division Player: Daniel O’Connor Bootle Goalkeeper: Dean Porter Bootle Division One Player: Jason Carey Formby Goalkeeper: Dale Latham Chadderton
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
What the papers said… First up the guardian who on Friday 24th August featured a quiz on topical issues when WEST DIDSBURY + CHORLTON were mentioned twice, see if you can answers below.
1. Athletic Bilbao defender Javi Martínez is a target for (a) Manchester City and Bayern Munich (b) West Didsbury & Chorlton and Spielvereinigung Unterhaching 2. Swansea City are interested in (a) Blackpool striker Tom Ince and Valencia winger Pablo Hernández (b) Buying West Didsbury & Chorlton as a feeder club and installing Eduard Shevardnadze, former minister of foreign affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist ), 84, as head coach
epublics
…Then came an altogether more accurate article in the non league paper when ‘sadhopper’ recorded his match day experience at West for the opening NWCFL fixture against Formby. That made for very positive reading about the welcome extended to visitors by all behind the scenes at the club and it is encouraging to all note the many positive blogs and tweets recently on the internet as many new people make their way to Brookburn Road and sample the fare on offer on the field and in the clubhouse.
Wishing West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC a successful season Parrs Wood High School and 6th Form. Proud printers of the Match Programme
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
North West Counties FL – Division One Saturday 15th September 2012
Today’s squads
West Didsbury & Chorlton White shirts, black shorts & socks
Steve Mellor (gk) Callum Jones Dave Conlon Anthony Potts Dave Kilbride Alex Baird Graham Bryant Danny Summers Mike Aston (Capt) Mark Woodcock Lee Makin Tommy Walsh Tre Baldwin - Willis Joe Warmington Joel Hunter Ben Simpson (gk)
Oldham Boro Blue shirts, black shorts and white socks
Thomas Elford Richmond Botchey Jordan Dainty Rick Winstanley Andrew Smith (Capt) Daniel Lafferty Lee Knowles Sam Freaks Matt Langregan Lee Bancroft Thomas Keegan James Curley Arron Rushton Will Buckley Steve Bancroft Matt Poitrowski Danny Whiteside Danny Pearson
Manager: Andy Nelson
Co Managers: Peter Freaks & Tony Mills
Assistant: Dave Conlon
Coaches: Andy Dibley & Andy Whiteman
OFFICIALS: Referee: Andrew Worthington Assistants: JJ Rigby & Victor Evans NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, 22nd September 2012 – Kick-off: 3.00pm
WEST Res v Silsden Res Please check the club website weekly at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com and www.nwcfl.com for up to date information www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
WHAT’S OUR
STORY?
Newly elected North West Counties League side West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, have come a long way in their 105 year history which began back in 1908 when the club was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. by Mr R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury. West first played in the Manchester Alliance League until the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918). After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and had to change its name to West Didsbury AFC, as the League did not permit association with any other body. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A and stayed in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first honours were double runners up in Div 1 and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23, and the club remained in that league until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way. Many of the current committee were players in that league. The club played at Christie Playing Fields from before 1914 but had to relocate when given notice to quit by the Playing Fields Society in the mid 80’s when that body decided to sell the land for commercial gain. After several years nomadic existence the club kicked off the 1997-98 season at their splendid new home at The Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road, and began to develop a vision for a community club. This was down to the hard work of a core of players and Committee who refused to let the club fold and secured the new facilities via a Lottery grant, new sponsors and fundraising, but without a penny of help from the Playing Fields Society proceeds. Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect our new location in Chorlton and we were elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 Season West won Manchester League silverware for the first time, lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of our centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final.
With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, who had previously managed at Leigh RMI, the 2009/10 season was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield, (the third consecutive year we have been in the final) and finishing runners-up in the league. The second team won the Bridgewater League Cup and the U17 Youth team won their League. In 2010/2011 the 1st team won the Manchester League First Division title in style with a fantastic points total (65 points out of 72 possible). This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in the history of the Manchester League dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final. The clubs ‘A’ team finished and the Youth team reached yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills. The Veterans were runners up in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans League and then started a second veterans team such was the interest in the club. Plans were also made to formally integrate junior football as the club Vision is to be a FA Charter Standard Community Club in every sense. In recent seasons several players who started at West have been signed by top non league clubs, but such is the spirit of the club that many players return to what they see as a family club. The club now looks forward to fulfilling its ambition to play at the highest possible level it can whilst continuing to be run as a community club and transition to the NWCFL. The ground and facilities have been further improved and floodlights erected to meet grading requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club. The club was duly elected to the NWCFL at the AGM on 16th June 2012.
MATCH DAY‌
CLUB INFO To contact the club please use the club website. West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville, Manchester, M21 8FF
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