Main Club Sponsor:
2013/14 SEASON
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2
Premier Division 18 March 2014 – 7.45pm
Runcorn Linnets
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
Runcorn Linnets
WELCOME Runcorn Linnets are very welcome as visitors to The Recreation Ground tonight, for the first home game between the clubs in the NWCFL Premier Division. This follows postponement of the previous fixture originally scheduled for Sat 25th January, but in the intervening period we have been hard at work installing our new stand which at least gives more facilities for those visiting us tonight. Whilst tonight will be a hugely competitive game as Linnets push for promotion, friendly is the best word to describe the relationship between our two clubs, and in particular our respective management teams have been friends for many years. The Linnets Committee made us extremely welcome when we played the Div 1 Trophy final at their ground last April, and the sporting reaction of their sizeable supporter base to the previous 0-0 draw was exemplary. That was an evening when Linnets were on the receiving end of a few unfortunate decisions as they threw everything at WEST in the closing stages of a very tight game. It was also an evening when WEST defended with great resolution and commitment and at the end of the proceedings the home fans gave WEST players a memorable standing ovation as they left the pitch. Linnets will want to obtain maximum points tonight, in their push towards automatic promotion, in what promises to be an intriguing fixture as the respective management teams pit their wits and tactics against each other. Going into tonight’s game WEST remain firmly in mid table after two away trips last week. Last Tuesday at Congleton Town WEST played the home side off the park with some high tempo superb football for 44 minutes, deservedly leading 1-0 when it could have been 3-0, only for Congleton to equalise with the last kick of the first half. Worse followed in the opening minute of the second half and ten minutes later West were 3-1 down, which was how it finished. Last Saturday it was off to Bacup who are fighting for their Premier Division lives. Despite missing several regular players through injury or non availability an excellent and spirited all round team performance saw West put the Congleton defeat behind them and sink the hosts with a superb quality goal early in the second half to come away with all 3 points. Whatever the result this evening, we warmly welcome the players and management, club officials and travelling supporters from Runcorn and wish them all a safe journey back down the M56 after the game. ANOTHER FIRST Tonight is the first time our new stand is open for spectators and extending our covered seating to 100. We expect the further covered standing to be in place next week and in time to meet the deadline of 31st March for completion of FA ground requirements. We have previously mentioned the grant from the Football Foundation but still need to raise over £10,000 ourselves as match funding. Since we launched our ‘sponsor a seat’ scheme at the game against Silsden, we have been delighted with the response which has seen nearly 20 of the 50 seats sponsored already. If you are able to sponsor a seat we will give you a season ticket to all our NWCFL home games next season, FA Cup and FA Vase included. Please speak to Rob McKay or Rob Turley – only 50 seats available!! COUNTY FINALISTS Our new u-17’s Youth team has exceeded our expectations in reaching the LANCASHIRE FA u-18’s YOUTH CUP FINAL and last Sunday evening we had the privilege of attending the final at The County Ground, Leyland when our lads did us proud finishing runners up to a very good AFC Fylde u18’s. They are also on course to clinch the Tameside Junior League u-17’s divisional title and still in that cup competition so still lots to play for in the run in to the end of the season. ENJOY TONIGHTS GAME, THE NEW SEATS and as always, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT
Rob Turley Cover: Scott Mason 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 evening and a warm welcome to everyone at tonight’s game. I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to the players, supporters and officials of Runcorn Linnets who have made the journey this evening. We come into tonight’s game of the back a hard fought victory away at Bacup & Rossendale Borough. We had a lot of our senior players missing for the trip, although it did provide a great opportunity for the young lads to come in and show us what they’ve got. We had to change the shape of the side and I thought we were very solid defensively. Wingbacks Callum and Scott Jones were excellent as was Mark Woodock, Matty Kay and Danny Summers in midfield, winning the midfield battle.. Up front Tommy Walsh and Tre Baldwin-Willis were a handful for the defence and it was good to see the young substitutes Tommy Hendley and Tom Webb come on and do well. The game was won from a moment of pure quality from Matty Kay after a top cross from Tommy Walsh and was worthy of winning any game of football. The lads have given myself and the management team a difficult decision about who to select and that is always a nice dilemma to have. The victory has lifted us to 44 points moving us closer to my pre-season target of 50 with 9 games left and I am telling my lads to give their all to try and finish as high up the league as possible. Interestingly we still have a say in the title race with each of the top three still to visit Brookburn Road, starting with tonights visitors, and we will want to ensure that we give a good account of ourselves and finish our season on a high. It’s great to see the ground developments continuing as we prepare the future of the club, the pictures below capture the installation and our kit manger Jon checking the view! Thanks you for your support and enjoy the game Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson
Our next first team home game kicking off at 3pm… Abbey Hey Saturday 22nd March
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… Tuesday 4 March: West 2 Silsden 0 Despite having Scott Jones, Callum Schofield, Tommy Walsh, Steve Settle and Graham Kay all missing from the side two first half goals were enough to secure the points in West’s first ever meeting against Silsden. The home side got off to the best possible start when Matty Kay, playing just behind striker Tre Baldwin-Willis, on the turn let fly from the edge of the box and rifled his shot into the top left hand corner for West’s quickest goal since becoming a North West Counties team. Silsden, though rocked went down the other end and immediately forced a great save from goalkeeper Ben Simpson from a free kick. The visitors searched for a leveller but it was West who looked the most threatening as first Tre Baldwin-Willis long range effort stung the palms of the Silsden keeper with the loose ball almost being turned into the net by the Silsden centre half. Matty Kay then rattled the cross bar with a huge effort from long range and the keeper well beaten before Baldwin-Willis finally made it two on 44 minutes when a through ball from Rick Gleave was misjudged by the central defender releasing the West forward who poked it into the bottom left hand corner for his 11th goal of the season to give West a deserved two goal half time lead. If the first half was an action packed affair with both teams attempting to play football the second half was the complete opposite as the pitch conditions worsened and the flowing nature of the first half reduced to a stop-start nature due to the increasing use of the referees whistle. Chances were few and far as Silsden pressed with little reward and just one first time effort sent wide of the post. West were happy to play on the counter attack with Mark Woodcock and Danny Summers particularly impressing with their pressure in midfield and the impressive Kay almost getting another 12 minutes from time but miscuing his shot only to find the keeper. A great team performance was rewarded with three points and West’s 8th home league win of the season lifted them up to 10th place in the NWCFL Premier Division.
Tuesday 11 March: Congleton 3 West 1 West travelled to Congleton eager to follow up on the 2-0 home win over Silsden and to prove that the 1-0 score in our favour when the previous game was abandoned at half time was fully deserved. For the opening 44 minutes it looked like there was only going to be one winner as we outplayed the home side, scored a great goal and should have had a couple more by the break. The first half was one way traffic as early as the 2nd minute when a Potts header was cleared for a corner, quickly followed by a Callum Jones effort straight at the keeper. 10 minutes in saw a Matty Kay snapshot fumbled by the home keeper and the ensuing scramble resulted on another West corner before Kay sent another shot just over the bar. West deservedly went ahead on 18 minutes when a quick break down the right saw Callum Jones send in a great cross with Kay diving forward to head the ball into the bottom corner. The goal gave West even more impetus with Scott Jones, Woody and Lee Malkin all going close and Congleton surviving another goalkeeping fumble after 32 minutes. The home side had their first attempt on goal after 35 minutes when a shot from 20 yards went high over the bar into the night sky. After 40 minutes it should have been 2-0 to West when Tommy Walsh beat the offside only to shoot narrowly wide. In the final minute of the first half Congleton equalised completely against the run of play when a move from left to right found the 6 on the edge of the area where he feinted one way and cut inside to curl a great right foot effort just inside the post giving Simpson no chance. The travesty of the half time score was almost compounded 3 minutes into the second period when Simpson made a great save tipping the ball over the bar from a close range effort. The resultant corner saw Congleton take the lead as the ball was flicked on from the corner and headed home from under the bar. This was a real killer blow and although Malkin robbed a dawdling home defender to fire over the bar when an equaliser looked on the cards, things went from bad to worse after 55 minutes when a dipping shot bounced up just in front of Simpson and the rebound was punished by the oncoming full back for 3-1. West were stunned by this reversal of fortunes but the 3 goals in 10 minutes either side of the break completely turned the game on its head. West rallied and weathered the storm and were denied a second minutes from the end when the keeper went full length to his left to turn a Rogers free kick past the post. 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… Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Linnets Football Club was born on 28 April 2006, when the fans of Runcorn Football Club, dismayed at the club’s predicament, met at their spiritual home at the Quayside in Canal Street in Runcorn and voted to establish a new club which would continue the proud tradition of non-League football which had existed in the town since 1918. A large group of fans formed an interim committee to set the wheels in motion. A Supporters Trust already existed and this was the vehicle through which the new club would be run. At this early stage, the club existed in name only, and the choice of the name Runcorn Linnets was symbolic in representing where the fans had come from and in keeping those ties with our past, whilst at the same time recognising that a new club needed to be built to re-establish confidence in the local community. To start a new club from scratch with only 4 months to the start of a new season was a mammoth task, and the newly formed committee drew up business and action plans to attempt to achieve their objectives. Negotiations were opened on many fronts, with the FA, the Cheshire FA, the North West Counties League, Supporters Direct and Witton Albion Football Club. We received a vast amount of advice and support from all of these bodies and were hugely grateful to them all for their help. The Chairman and Board of Directors at Witton Albion FC extended the hand of friendship and offered us a ground share for the season, as no suitable venue was immediately available back in Runcorn. This we were delighted to accept. A Roll of Honour was established on our website in recognition of the support offered to us by fans and friends in those early days. We were supported by our local council and MPs in our bid for a place in the league for the start of season 2006/07. The members of the committee worked tirelessly to achieve our objective and we were delighted when we were finally accepted into the league by the member clubs on Saturday 17 June 2006 at the AGM in Buxton. It was a proud day for all of us and we were grateful to be given the opportunity to re-build a non-League club representing Runcorn and with the firm aim of moving the club back to its roots at the earliest opportunity. Former manager and player for Runcorn FC Halton, Steve Carragher, agreed to join as manager. Steve had vast non-League experience and we were delighted for him to lead the team in this new venture. The old Runcorn FC started life back in the Cheshire League, so it was perhaps fitting that we had this chance to rebuild in the League that was formed from an amalgamation of that league and the Lancashire Combination. We enjoyed our first season immensely in 2006/07, visiting some new grounds and making new friends along the way and to achieve promotion in our first season was a just reward for the effort put in by so many fans. We finished second to Winsford on goal difference. Our supporters, as always, turned out in numbers to support the team and visit lots of new grounds. In season 2007/08 we entered the FA Vase for the first time, but lost at the First round stage to a strong Salford City team, which ultimately gained promotion. We had success in the Cheshire Senior Cup, beating Unibond 1 side Warrington T on their own ground and narrowly losing to Altrincham. We averaged around the 180 mark at home and often had a following of up to 100 fans at away grounds. Our desire to relocate back into Runcorn was always an integral part of our plans and we named our scheme R2R “Return to Runcorn”. At the beginning of 2008, the club decided to part with its management team by mutual consent and we appointed Steve Wilkes as our new manager, with goalkeeper Robbie Holcroft as his assistant. Steve used the second half of that season to look at players old and new. Overall season 2007/08 will be seen as one of consolidation in a higher league, with a better standard of football. Our mid-table finish was about right. We entered the FA Cup for the first time in season 2008/09 with a home tie against Rossington Main winning 32. Unfortunately, we then came up against a strong Curzon Ashton team and bowed out of the competition at the next stage. Curzon ultimately progressed into the First Round proper. In the FA Vase, we had a good run up to the Third Round Proper. We then came up against Vase holders, AFC Fylde, where we lost 4-1 after a very tight first half. Good wins at Alsager and at home to AFC Fylde in the Vodkat Cup put The Linnets into the semifinals against Silsden. A defeat in the home leg was followed up with a fighting performance at Cougar Park, which saw The Linnets through to the final at Tameside Stadium against a very strong New Mills side, where we ended as runners-up by 2 – 0 Season 2009/10 saw The Linnets again finish in mid table with little real success in the cup competitions. The main target throughout this time had been to get the club back into the town In June 2009 we were able to release the news that our plans for a new ground had received the support of the Halton Borough Council Executive Board and just before Christmas we received the excellent news that we had received a grant of over £93000 from the FSIF.
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Our original plans had been to play at the Riverside College, but now, with the help of the council and the FSIF grants, we have now developed a site at the Halton Sports complex within the town. Building on the new ground started at the beginning of February 2010 and was completed over the summer. The club also announced a new club sponsor, Millbank, a UK market leading resource management solution provider, who operate from headquarters in Runcorn, who have signed up to a three year deal with the club, commencing in 2010, with the option of a two year extension.The new ground will be known as The Millbank Linnets Stadium and the opening th ceremony on July 17 2010 when Witton Albion were our visitors, attracted a crowd of over 1000 fans and this was followed up on the opening day of the season with a new record league gate for The Linnets of 508 against Colne. Season 2010/11 was the first back in Runcorn and saw The Linnets part company with the management team of Steve Wilkes and Ian McGarry towards the end of August 2010 and former Linnet Paul McNally was appointed as the new manager bringing in former Atherton LR manager, Dave Hughes, as his assistant and Chris Fitzsimmons as coach. A rebuilding process took place during the season and the Linnets finished the season strongly. The most encouraging feature of season 2010/11 was the tremendous support the Linnets received from their fans. The average attendance at the Millbank Linnets Stadium was 106% up on the previous season and almost 50% higher than the next best supported team. The summer has seen new drainage on the MLS pitch and a new irrigation system installed. A number of new signings have been added to the squad that finished last season strongly. In 2011/12 the club achieved its highest ever finish in the NWCL when we came fifth. A great start to the season in the league was interspersed with cup success, but this brought us a large number of replays and no league games were played during September. The highlight of the cup runs was the 4-0 defeat of Evostick North opponents Mossley after a 0-0 draw at Seal Park. We finally exited the FA Vase up in the North East at Hebburn. Perhaps the most memorable game of the season came at Stone with an 8-5 victory and 3 hat tricks in the game. Those present will long remember it! During the season 7 player and manager awards came the way of The Linnets, but the weather conspired against us during the winter months and November saw us drop off the leading group when mental fatigue finally appeared to tell. From then on we were playing catch up in the league and despite best efforts we ended the season in fifth place, although our victory over our near neighbours on Easter Monday was to have a great bearing on the final outcome of the title as well as providing the league’s biggest gate of the season. The Linnets were once again the best supported team by some margin. Season 2012/13 saw Paul McNally leave the club for personal reasons to be replaced by Joey Dunn, with Stu Humphreys as his assistant and they brought the club its first major trophy when the Linnets defeated Formby in the final of the league challenge cup in front of over 500 fans at Curzon Ashton. The Linnets had made the final the hard way, with extra time in each round up to the final and a dramatic quarter final win over Bootle in extra time with 9 men. In the league, the change of manager brought instant success with a 3 month undefeated run from the start of the new year with the Linnets eventually finishing sixth. The club is also delighted that club sponsor, Millbank has taken up its option to remain as our main sponsor for the next 2 seasons at least.
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 13/01/2014
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
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Reserve Team Match Report… Reserve League Trophy - Saturday 22 February: Cheadle Town 2 West 0 West went to Cheadle looking to improve on their last outing in the League Trophy. From the kick off West controlled the game and kept Cheadle pinned back in their half. In the first 20 minutes West could easily have been 4-0 up with shots from Tyler Ferguson, Mat Zajac and two from Lee Malkin either going wide or being saved by the keeper. West looked confident and were playing some of the best football of the season. In the 25th minute Cheadle had their first meaningful attack of the game forcing Conrad Betton into making a great one handed save. West however continued to dominate and shots from Theo Warmington and Kyle Hendley forced saves from the Cheadle keeper. The second half started in the same way as the first with West doing most of the attacking and on the hour a lovely through ball to Lee Malkin should have put West 1-0 up, Lee beat the Cheadle centre backs and shot low and hard towards the corner of the net unfortunately for West the Cheadle keeper managed to get his fingertips to the ball to make the save. With 7 minutes to go the game looked to be heading towards a scoreless draw when, Cheadle played a ball behind the West defence a slip from a West defender allowed the striker a chance on goal and a last ditched effort to block the shot was adjudged by the referee to be a foul and a penalty was awarded, this was converted and West went undeservedly 1-0 behind. Things went from bad to worse when Cheadle got a corner in the last 2 minutes, West were again penalised for a push in the back of a Cheadle player and a second penalty was awarded. This was again converted and West lost the game 2-0. The West players should take heart from the way they played and dominated the game but need to be more clinical in from of goal and put away the chances that they are creating.
‘A’ Team Match Report… Saturday 1 February: Wendover 1 West 4 The A Team continued their impressive start to 2014 with a comfortable victory away to Wendover in the League Cup. The 4-1 win was welcome recompense for the two narrow defeats that Wendover have inflicted on West this season and furthered the team’s aims to finish the campaign with some silverware. As with last week, the high pressing game that had paid off so well was implemented again here and Wendover struggled to cope in the early stages of the game. The breakthrough goal owed much to a fine ball across goal from Bobby Ashcroft, Harkis couldn’t really miss from a few yards out. Headed chances were dealt with impressively by the Wendover goalkeeper, denying Grimshaw on one of his sojourns forward and Morley as West were happy to work hard and graft all over the park and wait for an opportunity to extend the lead. That opportunity presented itself when a ball from Harkis released Lilley on the break and as he drove into the area and cut inside towards goal, he was cynically taken down by not one but two Wendover defenders. Lilley stepped up to convert the spot kick. The game was virtually won some ten minutes later with a simple route one goal. Connolly smashed the ball downfield and as the Wendover players got caught underneath the flight of the ball, Lilley broke free down the centre and waiting for the ball to bounce, expertly rolled the ball from knee to shin and into the net. 3-0 and West very much in the ascendancy. The talk at half-time was of maintaining the pressure and not allowing the work rate or intensity to drop as it had done last week when the team were in a similarly unassailable position. A tactical switch by Wendover to a back three saw West switch to a 5 man midfield when not in possession of the ball, but in truth, further breakaway opportunities were spurned before the hosts pulled a goal back. Captain and inspiration Grimshaw collided with an advancing player on the edge of the box, only for the referee to judge the tackle to be inside the area. Connolly was sent the wrong way from the spot kick. 1-3 and game on or so it appeared. Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished for good as high pressing again resulted in the Wendover defence ceding possession and Morley was able to roll the ball in from the edge of the box with the opposition goalkeeper stranded, the result was in the bag. Jamie Harkis
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
SPONSOR A SEAT Continual improvement at…The Recreation Ground We have had to improve our spectator facilities to meet FA requirements for the NWC Premier Division and FA Cup to meet the 31st March 2014 deadline. This includes installing 2 new stands – one beside the existing clubhouse and the other at the Brookburn Road end of the ground. Total costs, including related work, are over £25,000 [c£30k inc. VAT]. We have obtained a grant from The Football Foundation for c£13.5k inc VAT and have some funds and generous donations, but still need to raise another £10,000+ ourselves. The Sponsor a Seat scheme means getting the 50 new seats sponsored by supporters or businesses at £100 each, aiming to raise £5,000 by the end of May. For supporters this is the same as a cash advance for next season (2014/2015) as we will provide a season card giving you free admission to all our home games next season. If you know a local business willing to help we will also give them a sponsor’s season ticket. Other possibilities include stand naming rights and further pitch board advertising around the ground. If you would like further information or have suggestions to help our fundraising then please contact the club Secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or by e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com Thank you for your ongoing support.
Some of the recent development activity is captured below:
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Statistics…Correct as of 16/03/2014
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Youth Team Update… LANCASHIRE FA YOUTH CUP FINAL Sunday 16 March: AFC Fylde u18s 5 West u17s 1 WEST U-17’s made club history on Sunday evening in reaching a County Cup Final – the first time a West team has done this in the club’s 105 years. They took on AFC Fylde u-18’s at the Lancs FA County Ground in Leyland and in the first half there was nothing between the two sides with Fylde taking the lead with a 35 yard screamer and West fighting back to equalise with a towering header from a corner. The game turned on a rather harsh penalty decision against West in the last seconds of the first half to enable Fylde to lead 2-1 at the interval. Fylde were then much the faster out of the blocks in the early stages of the second period and didn’t let West back in the game, scoring another 2 early goals to kill the tie before adding a final goal without reply. WEST have done exceptionally well to reach this season’s final in their first year together, having defeating several other u-18’s team en route to the final. In the end Fylde were worthy winners and the fact they had more experience, having played together as a squad for many years, proved decisive. WEST Chairman Glyn Meacher commented ‘We are all very proud of what the lads have achieved this season and with several key games left they are still in pole position to win their league and are also still in the cup.’ Watch this space for more news of this talented squad.
Today’s Match Sponsor: Pennant We are pleased to welcome Pennant again as our match sponsors, Pennant have been a partner and support us with a lot of our publicity material. For further information contact: John Churchman on 0161 947 6942
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 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 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 Tuesday 18th March 2014 – Today’s Squads
West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC
Runcorn Linnets
Ben Simpson (GK)
Yellow/Green Shirts, Green Shorts and Yellow/Green Socks and Pale Blue Socks Andy Robertson (GK)
Callum Jones
Richie Mottram (GK)
Scott Jones
Michael Duffy
Anthony Potts
Martin Crowder
Mark Rogers (Capt)
Michael Burke
Graham Kay
Mike Tomlinson (Capt)
Callum Schofield
Matty Cross
Tre Baldwin Willis
Gavin Salmon
Rick Gleave
Mark Haughton
Tommy Walsh
Adam Wade
Steve Settle
Michael Ellison
Matty Kay
Matty Atherton
Richmond Botchey
Kyle Hamid
Sam Mitten
Lee Thompson
Scott Mason
Michael Simpson
Danny Summers
Kevin Towey
Mark Woodcock
Chris Lomax
Lee Malkin
Antony Hickey/ Danny Hand
Paul Hughes (GK)
Warren Bellew/ Joe Fielding
White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks
Ross McDowell/ Cole Ashton Manager: Andy Nelson
Managers: Joey Dunn
Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle
Assistant: Stuart Humphreys
OFFICIALS Referee: James Price
Assistants: Michael Brownsett & Nigel Haycock
NEXT HOME GAME Saturday 22nd March 2014, KO 3.00pm WEST v Abbey Hey