West Didsbury & Chorlton v Rochdale Town

2012/13 SEASON Main club sponsor:

PROGRAMME ÂŁ1.50 Division One Saturday, 20 October 2012

v Rochdale Town

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC Club President Brian Cripps

First Team Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Manager: Steve Eckersley

Chairman Glyn Meacher 07905 431526

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

Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Physio First Team: Winston Luke Reserves: Neha Chhabra

Membership Secretary Monica Creer 0161 881 1135

Club Coach Kris Mahon

Treasurer Dave Cooper 07961 063195

‘A’ Team Manager Chris Argent 07962 352619

Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Vets Manager Sam Hickey 07980 521988

Community Development Davy Iredale

Programme Production John Churchman 07720 508082

ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR SPONSOR Join our growing list of sponsors, we have packages to suit your budget including:

THE CLUB

● Match Day Sponsor ● Player Kit Sponsor ● Pitch Advertising (3-year period) ● Programme Advertising

LIST

£100 £50 £250 per season £50 - £100

200

The 200 club is a vital source of income and is open to anyone. A monthly standing order payment of £2 entitles one entry into the monthly £200 of prizes to be won.

If you are interested in joining please contact Brian, Rob or Monica or ask for a form in the club house.

The sooner you complete a form and enter the draw the sooner you could win.

Editorial

20th October 2012 – Rochdale Town

Welcome back for today’s game against Rochdale Town as we begin to make up the deficit in home games and aim to keep in touch with the top of the table. Currently Darwen are out on their own with 30 points in the bag from their 12 games, 9 ahead of Formby and Abbey Hey on 21 points, although the latter are still unbeaten with a 100% record so far.

Cheadle Town is fourth with 18 points and then 3 clubs all on 17 points including Ashton Town, ourselves and Chadderton. Our visitors Rochdale Town are on 12 points and in 10th place, but have games in hand, and will be aiming to close the gap on teams above them, so we can expect another tight and competitive game today.

Despite the wet weather we’ve managed to keep the home pitch in good condition which is a credit to Nick Brearley our grounds man and this has enabled the recent home games against Holker and Eccleshall which were both convincing victories [and keeping clean sheets in both games was also important and encouraging] and last weekend’s end to end reserve team goal fest against Ashton Town which ended 4-3 in our favour at last.

Midweek we had a trip to Bamber Bridge, two divisions above us in the Northern Premier League, in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy and where our performance was great credit to Andy and all the squad. Although we eventually went down 1-3 it was only in the closing stages that Bamber Bridge took control and an upset was certainly on the cards with us leading 1-0 with 20 minutes left. This game was another good indicator of just how far the club has progressed in the last 3 years and the Bamber Bridge officials were pretty relieved that a couple of missed chances and the woodwork saved their blushes when we were leading 1-0 and that second goal might just have seen us through. [Match report inside] Off the field we have an important night on 3rd November with our annual Community Bonfire Party. This has become a great event in recent years and in the past few years the numbers attending have been in excess of 500, as word has spread locally and people have come back year on year.

If you are in the vicinity then please come and join in the fun. Gates open at 7pm with fireworks at 8pm and hot food and refreshments throughout the evening. Admission is £4 adult or £2 children and family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children £10. [See the advertisement elsewhere in this week’s programme] Finally it just remains to again welcome our visitors and wish you all an enjoyable afternoon.

Rob Turley Cover picture: Anna Medne and Hayley Molloy pointing the way for a warm welcome!

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

View from the Dugout Since our last notes the game against Bamber Bridge (postponed twice due to the weather) was finally played.

Despite losing 3-1 and leading until 18 minutes from the end all associated with the club really enjoyed the experience. What a change to visit places like Bamber Bridge than some of the grounds we encountered only a year ago. We were delighted how well our team equipped themselves matching Bamber Bridge for long spells before their pressure finally told.

Prior to that game we had played two consecutive home games scoring seven without reply which no-one can grumble about. It was pleasing to see the team focussing on their responsibilities from defense to attack. So Saturday evenings have been pleasant recently!

Last weekend we had the chance to watch the reserves chalk up a well deserved 4-3 home victory over Ashton Town. Our possession for long spells was excellent; it was good to see the lads dig in to make sure they bagged the points.

We hope you enjoy the game today.

Steve Eckersley

Thank you to our Last Match Sponsor: Dave Cooper We would like to thank Dave (pictured on the right handing the match ball to Andy Nelson) for sponsoring our last home match against Eccleshall.

Dave has a long association with the club stretching back to the 70’s as a former player, then as a Manager of the third team before serving on the committee as Secretary then Treasurer. After an absence of 12 years Dave rejoined us a few years back and is now doing a sterling job again as Club Treasurer.

Interested in sponsoring one of our matches?

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

This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 Duncan McVey £60 Bobby Ashcroft £40 Lee Renforth th

The next draw is on Monday 5 November so get a form and get signed up by the end of the month if you want to have the chance of a cash prize.

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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

First Team – Fixtures, Results and Goalscorers…

Date KO H/A AUGUST 2012 Sat 4th 3.00 H Wed 8th 7.45 A th Sat 11 3.00 A Tues 14th 7.45 H Sat 18th 3.00 A SEPTEMBER Sat 1st 3.00 H th Tues 4 7.45 A Sat 8th 3.00 A th Sat 15 3.00 H Wed 19th 7.45 A nd Sat 22 3.00 A Sat 29th 3.00 H OCTOBER Sat 6th 3.00 H th Tues 9 7.45 A Mon 15th 7.45 A th Sat 20 3.00 H Sat 27th 3.00 H NOVEMBER Sat 3rd 3.00 A th Sat 10 3.00 H Sat 17th 3.00 A DECEMBER Sat 1st 3.00 A th Sat 8 3.00 A Sat 15th 3.00 H Sat 22nd 3.00 A Wed 26th 3.00 H Sat 29th 3.00 H JANUARY 2013 Sat 5th 3.00 H Sat 12th 3.00 A Sat 19th 3.00 H FEBRUARY Sat 9th 3.00 H Sat 23rd 3.00 H MARCH Sat 2nd 3.00 H Sat 23rd 3.00 A Sat 30th 3.00 H APRIL Mon 1st 3.00 A Sat 6th 3.00 H Sat 13th 3.00 H Sat 27th 3.00 A FA - V = FA Vase

Opposition

Score Scorers

Formby Chadderton Oldham Boro Northwich Villa AFC Darwen

2–3 3–0 4–2 1–1 0–2

Beckford, Walsh Potts, Walsh (2) Aston, C Jones, Walsh, Beckford Baird

FA - V

1–3 2–1 1–4 4–1 2–2 2–3 3-0

Bryant Shillito, Bryant Bryant Kilbride, Summers, Shillito L. Schofield, C Jones L. Schofield, Malkin L. Schofield, Baldwin, Walsh

Eccleshall L C Cup Bamber Bridge LCT Atherton Collieries Rochdale Town Norton United L C Cup

4-0 1-3 P–P

Aston, S Jones, Baldwin, Walsh Summers

Cheadle Town Leek CSOB Atherton LR Oldham Boro Nelson Cheadle Town Holker Old Boys

Northwich Villa Abbey Hey Daisy Hill Irlam Holker Old Boys Cheadle Town Eccleshall Leek CSOB Irlam Ashton Town Formby Atherton Collieries AFC Darwen Chadderton Eccleshall Abbey Hey Daisy Hill Rochdale Town Atherton LR Nelson Ashton Town L C Cup = League Challenge Cup L C T = Lancashire Challenge Trophy

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

CLUB NEWS… Club Helpers Our club is dependent on the time and effort of volunteer helpers who act as club officials, manage and staff the bar and clubhouse on match days, produce the match day programme and undertake a host of other tasks around the clubhouse and grounds.

If you’re into football and follow City or United then why not make us your second team and be part of the experience of quality grass roots football. Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please contact us at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com

Follow us on Twitter We will use this to provide updates and information (fixtures, news, events, link to NWCFL articles, link to website, results, photos etc). Our username is WD_CFC (picture of club badge) please follow us and re tweet information so as many people see it as possible.

Shirt Number Sponsors For as little as £20 you can sponsor a club shirt, your support will be recognised in the clubhouse and starting shortly 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 now only 5 shirts left so don’t delay.

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

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



The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.



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



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

 

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

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.



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

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Our visitors‌ Rochdale Town The present Club was formed in 1924 as St Gabriels and played in the Rochdale Sunday League, players had to be Catholic and go to Church regularly to be able to play for the Club.

In the early 1960's the Club changed this policy to be able to attract more players to the then struggling Club.

This change had an immediate effect with the Club winning many local trophies.

In 1979 the Club bought its present home, then known as Butterworth Park, the Club continued to progress on and off the field, with major improvements to the clubhouse and the ground.

In 1985 the Club joined the Manchester League and in their second season won the League and Murray Shield and gained promotion to the Premier League.

In 1990 the Club joined the North West Counties League and dropped 'Saint' from the Club's name.

Despite gradually improving the facilities at the ground, the costs involved began to take their toll, and despite winning the Reserve Division Cup, the Reserve team was disbanded. This then started the Club on a downward spiral. The Clubs driving force for many years left the Club with ownership changing to a Limited Company.

The Ground was allowed to fall into disrepair, the team was struggling and at the end of 2004/05 the Club was effectively relegated when the Ground failed the grading criteria. This was the Club's darkest hour, but hope was around the corner, the Club was bought by Rochdale Mayfield Rugby Club who immediately started to refurbish the Stadium.

Our friends at Oldham Town FC allowed us to ground share until we could return to Castleton, thus allowing us to remain in the North West Counties League. The Club returned to the now renamed Castleton Sports Centre in November 2005.

Despite playing at a superb ground the Club still struggled on and off the field, so at the end of 2007/2008 season in an effort to change the Club's fortunes it was decided to rename the Club ROCHDALE TOWN F.C and start a new era at the Club.

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First team match reports…

Saturday 6th October: WEST 4 Eccleshall 0 Our Debut in NWCFL cup competitions saw fellow first Division side Eccleshall visit Brookburn Road for the first time. We gave a patient and controlled display which takes us through to the next round of the Challenge Trophy after recording a 4-0 victory.

It was a day when patience was eventually rewarded as the visitors played with good shape and resistance for the first half hour during which there were few clear cut chances. The first came after 4 minutes saw Scott Jones play in Lee Malkin who was denied by a great save. We dominated possession during the early exchanges but it was another 10 minutes before another chance came, this time after good build up play on the right by Callum was followed by a decent header from brother Scott. On 22 minutes Mike Aston hit the post leading to another Eccleshall breakaway ended by Callum Jones and a yellow card for a mistimed challenge. Further half chances came on 27 minutes when Lewis Schofield shot straight at the keeper, followed by a similar Eccleshall effort straight at Ben Simpson in the 32nd minute and another from Lee Malkin in the 33rd minute pushed behind. This resulted in the opening goal as Aston headed home from 6 yards from Schofield’s corner kick to give us the lead our overall play deserved. We upped the tempo and were further ahead a couple of minutes later after great play by Tre Baldwin set up Scott Jones to score and make it 2-0 by half time.

We began the second period in confident fashion and after 48 minutes a Danny Summers effort was deflected wide and then on 51 minutes Lee Malkin was sent clear but his rising shot cleared the bar, stop netting and clubhouse to give Kris Mahon some exercise and experience in ball retrieval. Callum Schofield then came on for Scott Jones after 56 minutes and 3 minutes later brother Lewis released Lee Malkin who made a great run into the area and crossed from the right to leave Tre Baldwin a simple task to tap home the 3rd. Tommy Walsh then replaced the energetic Malkin after 65 minutes and immediately caused havoc in the Eccleshall defence as Tre Baldwin crossed for Aston to hit a sweet volley into the side netting. On 70 minutes Schofield shot over after another great run and pass from Tre Baldwin as the overrun Eccleshall defence and midfield began to tire. Danny Summers was outstanding throughout and gave the visitors no respite and the only Eccleshall effort of note came on 74 minutes when Callum Jones was on hand to charge down a rising volley.

The final strike came after 83 minutes when Callum Jones released Tommy Walsh down the right to cut inside and outside his marker before cracking home a fierce left foot drive to make it 4-0. That was how it finished as another Walsh effort bundled home in the last minute was ruled offside.

This was another good performance meaning we now face Norton United from the Premier Division at home in the next round. Rob Turley

Tuesday 9th October: Bamber Bridge 3 WEST 1 Another first for the club took place on Tuesday evening as we made the journey to the QED stadium to play in our first ever fixture in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy, against Bamber Bridge, who play in the Evostick League Northern division 1, two steps above us in the football pyramid.

Entering the ground and having a good look around clearly indicated the different levels that we both currently operate at. The QED stadium has a range of catering and bar facilities, club shop, new function suite and impressive main stand. The difference between both of our off field positions was further highlighted when opening the programme, and looking at an advert on the first page, advertising membership of Bamber Bridges £50,000 club!!!,However, the differences between us ended, when the match kicked off, and we produced an excellent performance, matching Bamber Bridge all over the pitch, and being really unlucky to find ourself losing, as they scored three goals in the last 18 minutes to gain victory.The first half saw us beginning the game, playing neat, controlled football, keeping the ball very well, and carving out early chances. Mid way through the first half Danny Summers was put through on goal and finished well to put us 1-0 up. Additional chances then came our way before Bamber Bridge got a foothold in the game, and put us under pressure in the last 10 minutes of the half. However, we held out, to go into the interval 1-0 up.

Continued…

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

Bamber Bridge v West report continued.

The second half, was a different story, as Bamber Bridge upped their game, and began to dominate possession, although we defended well and continued to carry a threat on the break.

However, the pressure finally told on us, in the last 18 minutes of the match with Bamber Bridge scoring two goals from crosses, and one in the last minute from a excellent long range shot, giving them a slighlty flattering 3-1 victory.

Our travelling support of two, Dave Cooper and myself , left the ground being extremely proud of the performance we had given, and also taking with us e numerous compliments given to us from Officials and fans of Bamber Bridge, and from visiting North West Counties officials, on both the quality of our performance and the football we played.

Glyn Meacher

Reserve team match report‌ Saturday 13th October: WEST 4 Ashton Town 3 West Didsbury Reserves finally ended a six game losing run going back to 18th August with a win over visitors Ashton Town.

As with many games this season West began by controlling the game, playing some superb one, two touch football making the visitors work hard to get the ball and even harder to retain it. However on this occasion West took the lead in the 15th minute from a goal from Graham Bryant who collected the ball just inside the Ashton half, started a run which ended on the edge of the penalty area, he struck the ball hard and low which went through a group of players and ended up in the back of the net.

West's simple fluent football seemed to leave them and Ashton came back strongly resorting to long balls, bypassing the midfield. This tactic seemed to work as they struck the post twice in 5 minutes.

The equalizer eventually came from a free kick 10 yards outside the West penalty area. The Ashton number 10 curled the ball round the one man wall into the top left hand corner of the net. This goal seemed to spur West on and they got back into their rhythm and soon went back in front. Neat one touch passing between Gary Lilley, Jordan Casey and Paul Lewis probably the move of the match to set up Graham Bryant for his second of the game.

West continued to press forward and went further ahead when left back Callum Schofield went forward beating several players to slot the ball past the outstretched Ashton keeper. Just before half time West just lost concentration for a minute which Ashton capitalised on to make the score at half time 3-2.

In the second half West more than coped with the Ashton serge as they looked for an equalizer with Nathan Wakelam and Alex Fawcett cutting out any threat from the Ashton forward line. West could have gone further in front with Nathan Sharples twice hitting the ball just over the bar.

After 20 minutes of the second half West conceded another free kick, this time 15 yards outside their penalty area. The Ashton number 10 stepped up and this time curled the ball round the West wall to place the ball into the top left corner of the goal making the score 3-3.

With the pitch beginning to cut up and both teams running out of ideas the game looked like it was going to end in a draw. However 10 minutes before the end Paul Lewis collected the ball in midfield, he played a sublime pass to substitute Kyle Hendley on the West right, he took the ball in his stride and struck the ball from an acute angle to make the final score 4-3.

A gritty performance from all the team and a deserved win. Hopefully this will give the team the momentum and belief in themselves to progress in this league.

Robert Madden WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

NWCFL fixtures 2012-2013 Division One games 20th October: AFC Darwen v Abbey Hey Atherton Collieries v Cheadle Town Eccleshall v Oldham Boro Irlam v Holker Old Boys Nelson v Daisy Hill Northwich Villa v Ashton Town West Didsbury & Chorlton v Rochdale Town

Reserve team fixtures: Cheadle Town Res, 20th October (A) 3.00pm AFC Darwen Res, 27th October (A) 3.00pm Glossop North End Res, 3rd November (H) 3.00pm New Mills Res, 24th November (A) 3.00pm Reserve Team Cup – Round 1 Ashton Town Res, November date TDC (H)

NWCFL recent news…

Formby – Emini Adegbenro is the latest Squirrels player to be rewarded by the Formby Champagne Club, a reward run by supporters who buy a bottle of bubbly for any player who scores a hat trick or a goalkeeper who keeps three consecutive clean sheets. Emini received his award after scoring a hat trick in the 9-3 win over Eccleshall, following Jason Carey who bagged three in the FA Cup tie at Daisy Hill.

Ashton Athletic – supporters at the recent home game against Barnoldswick were surprised to see Athletic running out in an unfamiliar kit. Instead of the normal all yellow colours, the team were sporting yellow shirts and green shorts. It turned out that the kit was actually Wigan Robin Park’s away kit, which had been mixed up by the laundrette firm that washes the kit for both clubs. With the problem only being uncovered an hour before kick-off, there was no time to do anything about it, although it didn’t do Athletic any harm as they won the game 2-0.

West Didsbury & Chorlton – the new kids on the NWCFL block are welcoming their fair share of groundhoppers marking off a visit to Brookburn Road this season, although for the game against Holker Old Boys a couple of weeks ago, they welcomed their furthest travelled supporter to visit up to now. Along with three visitors from London, two from Lincoln and one from Leeds was a supporter who had travelled all the way from Oslo in Norway to see the game, and took in West’s 3-0 win before heading to Scarborough where he is involved in the supporters trust.

Alsager Town – the Bullets’ under 17s had an eye catching 16-0 win over Timperley Villa Youth in the Cheshire Youth Cup. Even more unusual was the fact that the highest scorer on the day, Jordan Padmore, came on a substitute and scored five goals – the first in the 71st minute and his fifth just 18 minutes later. Next highest scorer was team mate Tom Collins, who grabbed a hat trick at an equally impressive rate, scoring his three goals between the 12th and 17th minute.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Division One Table

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

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

P W D L F A 12 10 0 2 35 14 7 7 0 0 29 6 8 7 0 1 32 17 9 5 3 1 21 13 9 5 2 2 19 13 11 5 2 4 24 19 11 5 2 4 22 19 8 5 0 3 25 17 11 4 2 5 18 24 9 3 3 3 17 18 10 3 3 4 12 18 7 3 2 2 16 13 10 3 2 5 17 22 11 3 2 6 18 24 10 1 4 5 18 23 13 2 1 10 21 42 9 0 2 7 11 26 7 0 0 7 1 28

GD Pts 21 30 23 21 15 21 8 18 6 17 5 17 3 17 8 15 -6 14 -1 12 -6 12 3 11 -5 11 -6 11 -5 7 -21 7 -15 2 -27 0

NWCFL Reserves Table 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

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

P W D L 9 5 2 2 7 5 0 2 8 5 0 3 7 5 0 2 8 4 1 3 7 3 3 1 7 4 0 3 7 4 0 3 7 3 1 3 9 3 0 6 9 2 1 6 7 1 3 3 8 0 1 7

*Point deducted for breach of rules

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

F 26 15 18 15 10 20 19 14 15 15 15 13 9

A 15 7 12 10 8 8 20 16 15 23 19 17 34

GD 11 8 6 5 2 12 -1 -2 0 -8 -4 -4 -25

Pts 17 15 15 15 13 12 12 12 9 9 7 6 1

Bonfire night at Brookburn Road‌

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

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

North West Counties - First Division Saturday 20th October 2012

Today’s squads

West Didsbury & Chorlton White shirts, black shorts & socks

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

Rochdale Town Blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks

Nathan Adams Ryan Alessandra Ricardo Brandao Joseph Brobbin (GK) Ryan Burgess Joshua Clegg Kristian Evans Gareth Fleming (GK) James Greenhalgh Michael Harling Scott Highton Jason Hill Nicholas Hodson Lee Kershaw (Capt) Jordan McKinley Daniel Parker Christopher Pearson Tabby Magida Adam Trennery Daniel Turner Daniel Waraich

Manager: Andy Nelson Assistant: Steve Eckersley

Referee: Peter Stone

Manager: Mark Canning Assistant: Mark Tolley

OFFICIALS: Assistants: Victor Evans & Tom Haworth

NEXT HOME GAME: Saturday, 27th October, 2012 – Kick-off: 3.00pm

WEST v Norton United Please check the club website or www.nwcfl.com for up to date information http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

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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