2013/14 SEASON
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2
Main Club Sponsor:
Premier Division 17 September 2013 – 7.45
v Stockport Sports
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: John 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
Physios 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
Rachel Wood and 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 07956 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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/ West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FF
Tuesday 17th September 2013
Editorial NWCFL Premier Division
WEST v Stockport Sports
This evening we welcome Stockport Sports [The Saxons] to Brookburn Road for the first game between our two clubs for many years. The last time was when both clubs were in the Lancashire and Cheshire League and the pitches and facilities rather different to what we have today. There is more about The Saxons and their aspirations inside and tonight both teams will be looking to get the points to improve their league positions. Stockport have been inconsistent so far this season starting off well with successive wins against Squires Gate and Congleton before a run of 6 league games without a further league win, a narrow FA Cup defeat at Winsford before a thumping 5-0 win against Atherton Collieries in the FA Vase. Further away games at Maine Road saw 1-1 draw followed by 2-1 defeat last weekend at Ashton Athletic. West have recovered from a difficult and pointless first 5 games since when some confident and attacking displays have seen 7 points out of 9 from the games against Congleton, Ashton Athletic and AFC Blackpool before last weekend’s trip to Wigan Robin Park where the breathless 4-3 victory lifted West to 17th place. CLUB DEVELOPMENT Work is now underway to transform the overgrown former playing fields next to the club into new grass pitches which can be used by our adult, youth and veterans teams and as we begin to develop junior football in addition to our other teams and enable the club to grow its own players. Over the next month the area will be graded and leveled to provide a new playing surface and then cultivated and seeded before the end of the autumn growing season. The land and grass will then be left to consolidate over winter before sand banding and fertilising next spring. The area will be cut and mown regularly and should be ready for use from next summer. GROUND DEVELOPMENT The application for planning approval for a clubhouse extension and additional seating and a covered standing ‘stand’ has been submitted to the Council and we expect a decision in October. The club Committee met twice with immediate neighbours and considered their suggestions. We hope we will have a full approval soon to enable the necessary work to be planned and completed this season as we need all these improvements to continue in the Premier Division and the FA Cup. We will have a full display of all the plans in the clubhouse in the next week or two together with an update on the financial costs the club faces in having to complete all this work in the next 6 months. THE FA VASE – SAT 21st SEPTEMBER Our opponents in the next round of the FA Vase are confirmed as Rossington Main from Division 1 of the North East Counties League, the equivalent of the NWCFL on the other side of The Pennines. Rossington defeated Pennistone Church from Sheffield in the last round on 7th September. We have a 49 seater coach booked for the trip with about 20 seats available for travelling supporters. The coach will leave Brookburn Road from opposite The Bowling Green at 11.30am arriving at the Rossington ground around 1.30pm. After the match we will leave Rossington around 6pm and expect to be back in Chorlton at 8pm. We would like to see as many as possible travelling with the squad and backroom staff for this important FA Vase game so the cost of joining the travelling party will be a donation as you see fit. If you want to travel with us to the game please give your name to Rob or anyone at the bar. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALCOHOLIC DRINKS MUST BE CONSUMED AT THE CLUBHOUSE ONLY. Thanks you for your co-operation and enjoy this evening’s game The front cover picture: Today’s Programme Feature Steve Settle in action Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing photos again this season for the web and programme.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
View from the Dugout It feels like quite some time since my last managers’ notes as September has finally given us some respite from the sheer volume of games. It has at long last given us a chance for refection after our difficult start and we analyse the first month of our season. We’ve learnt some harsh lessons from our start, we’ve been a tad unlucky as well, and some players have arguably misjudged the step up a level but we all support each other, we are all moving forward together and have pride in the West shirt. I’ve been very pleased with our recent form, we’ve changed our system, brought in five new players and we are optimistic that if we can gel we can go on a decent run. We started to show early glimpses in the AFC Blackpool showing early glimpses of what we can achieve, we had pace, passing, technique and our hard work was rewarded as we scored two excellent goals from new signing Rick Gleave and Steven Brockley. Having just joined us Rick is showing us already the sort of technique that made him an England International at Futsal and I’m sure he will be a positive addition to the squad.. ‘Brock’ scored the type of goal that I’ve seen him score 100s of times; he is a quality full back and another leader on and off the field. Richmond Botchey was man of the match and I was very impressed with his work rate and attitude, has immense skill and equally gifted on both wings as well as being absolutely rapid. I’m sure there will be more to come from him. Steve Settle is the player of focus today and I have to say that he has been a revelation at right back this season. He is an accomplished player with vast experience of playing in numerous positions and I’m amazed at the number of 90 minute performances he’s put in this season already. Behind the scenes he has been invaluable, he’s methodical, leads from the front and he ticks every box as a coach. He could have taken a coaching role higher up the pyramid but he came here wanting to learn from the boot room upwards and I’ve every confidence he’ll be managing in the Conference by the time he’s 40. I would like to welcome the players, officials and supporters of Stockport Sports to tonight’s game. Andy Nelson
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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com
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/
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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton 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
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
First Team… Match Report… Saturday 7th September: West 2, AFC Blackpool 0 This was a fully deserved 3 points as West took the game to Blackpool from the off and an early Richmond Botchey drive from distance was well saved low by the visiting keeper whose every movement was noticeable due to his high visibility and rather lurid all lemon strip. West played all the football with good movement and neat passing and this was rewarded after 28 minutes when Rick Gleave scored his debut goal for West with a sweet right foot drive which flew past the keeper and in off the post. Tommy Walsh was unlucky 3 minutes later when his turn and shot was cleared off the line after Gleave sent Botchey clear down the left flank. Blackpool played a very long ball game from the back but offered little threat in front of goal and the West back four looked solid as Rogers returned from injury to steady the defence. The second period saw Blackpool trying hard to get back on terms and after 55 minutes a vicious corner kick was headed just wide. West replied instantly with another Walsh effort just wide followed by a good Schofield free kick. Tre Baldwin Willis and Steve Brockley came on for Walsh and Conlon respectively and soon after it was 2-0 as ‘Brock’ cracked a left foot drive home from distance to delight the supporters at the pavilion end. Blackpool looked a bit lost and West had further chances to increase the margin of victory including a good shout for a penalty when Tre was bundled over as two defenders converged on him 10 yards out. This was an immediate and very positive response to the FA Cup disappointment which showed we have both the quality and tenacity to get a result. Good performances from Gleave, Gleave, Mason and Botchey with Simpson again making an all important reflex save at 1-0 and Settle and Rogers also commanding at the back. Good to see Lee Malkin back after injury and he, Walsh, Schofield and Baldwin Willis troubled the visitors throughout.
Reserve Team Match Report… Saturday 14th September: West 0 Glossop North End 2 The Reserves were hosts to Glossop North End for our second home game of the season. West were under pressure for the start with Glossop having a number of shots and forcing several corners within the first 20 minutes. However West withstood the pressure with some very good defending from Dale Newbrook in the West goal who was making his first appearance for West in 9 months following a knee injury and Kyle Hendley who was playing as a makeshift centre half. West started to find their feet and started to put their own pressure on the Glossop defence with Theo Wormington and Sam Mitten, who was making his debut for West, making several intelligent runs. Shackeel Depeiaza having the best chance for West when he forced the Glossop keeper into a great save. The first half finishing 0-0. The second half started with Glossop again putting pressure on the West defence and they got their reward in the 49 minute with a cross field ball to the Glossop left wing who played the ball across the West 6 yard box for the forward to slot home. West however continued to compete but to little penetration, Tommy Hendley who was playing at left back and having another superb game, was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed when he was adjudged to have kicked the ball out of the keepers hands before putting it into the net. With 5 minutes to go Glossop punted the ball up field, the Glossop forward reacted quickest and shot from outside the box, the ball going into the West net past an unsighted keeper. The game finished with West again on the loosing side having played well in patches.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
History… Stockport Sports The 2012/2013 season marked a new chapter in the life of Woodley Sports FC as the club had a complete makeover aimed at full-time status, a new management team and even a new name. Stockport Sports FC was born and their first leader was Aston Villa legend Peter Withe. The 60-year old returned from life living down under in Australia to take up the position and attempt to lead Stockport back up the football pyramid, from their current position in the North West Counties Football League. It could be seen as something of a coup for the club to have attracted Withe who represented England 11 times during the 1980’s and also won a European Cup with Aston Villa but certainly proves that both club and manager have the same lofty ambitions. Withe’s time at Stockport ended midway through last season and since then the club have recruited a new management team led by Darren Finch who has set about building a squad all hungry for success and want to be competing with rivals Stockport County in the near future. This has included signing James Mc Shane who is one to watch tonight having already scored double figures this season and winning the club’s player of the month award for August. Another change has been the changing of the Club’s nickname. Woodley Sports were affectionately known as The Steelmen but the new regime will see the Club being referred to as The Saxons. The nickname pays homage to the rich Saxon heritage of Stockport and pays tribute to those who named the town in the 18th Century. Despite all the changes perhaps overwhelming some, Stockport Sports will not neglect the community in its bid to become a major non-league side in the future. The Neil Rourke Stadium will boast a gymnasium which will be open for the public to use and the Stockport Sports Trust are also investing significant amounts of money to bring more full size and 5-aside pitches to the community of Stockport in the hope that Stockport Sports can become a source of pride for a local community, as well as a blossoming football club. Managerial Changes Stockport Sports have recently announced details of managerial changes at the club. Darren Finch has accepted the club's offer to become a Director, and has therefore vacated the First Team Manager's position. He will be replaced by Stuart Rudd, a man with a host of experience at non-league level across the North West.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First Team… Match Report… Saturday 14th September: Wigan Robin Park 3 West 4 West emerged victorious from a breathless game at Robin Park with a 4-3 victory over bottom club Wigan Robin Park. West were out of the blocks immediately scoring with their first attack as Tre Baldwin-Willis scored a brilliant individual goal after 7 minutes when he latched onto a headed clearance inside his own half, raced into the penalty area, dummying his defender twice, before calmly finishing under the Robins goalkeeper. Baldwin-Willis should have made it two a minute later as he broke the offside trap but his shot hit the netting at the near post. West went close again when Richmond Botchey latched onto a through ball down the right touchline and put in a terrific first time cross to Baldwin-Willis who attempted an overhead kick but mistimed it. Botchey himself then went close on 17 minutes when his half volley crashed against the crossbar. Rick Gleave then went close with arguably West’s best chance when he miss hit another brilliant first time cross from Botchey when inside the six yard box. West finally made it 2-0 on 30 minutes when captain Mark Rogers fed Baldwin-Willis with a terrific through ball to finish brilliant into the bottom right hand corner. Three minutes later it was 3-0 with Baldwin-Willis laying on Rick Gleave with a beautiful back heel to fire home inside the area. There was still time in the half for Baldwin-Willis to complete his hat-trick but he slipped at the crucial moment when Lewis Schofield fed him with a great cross. West had a well deserved 3-0 lead at half time. The second half was almost a complete opposite to the first half as immediately after the restart Wigan Robin Park looped a free kick over the West defence for Christopher Hopwood to brilliantly volley home past goalkeeper Ben Simpson. The warning signs were there for West as minutes later Wigan Robin Park appealed for a goal from a headed corner they believed had crossed the line before Simpson had collected it. West continued to push men forward, looking to restore their three goal lead, but it was Wigan who reduced the deficit to one on 66 minutes when West failed to deal with a cross and Christopher Taylor fired in the rebound. West went close again when substitutes Lee Malkin and Steve Brockley played a quick onetwo at the edge of the penalty area and Brockley forced a terrific save from the Wigan goalkeeper. However it was the Robins who got their reward for an excellent second half fight back as Connor Gately’s shot from outside the area brought them level on 87 minutes and sent the home support in to rapture. There was still time for Wigan Robin Park to snatch a winner as a free header was flashed wide in stoppage time but it would be West who would secure all three points as immediately from the restart, the goal kick was launched up field and found its way to Lewis Schofield. Schofield, clear of the defence, looked to be in an offside position but managed to hold off the Wigan defence and poke the ball past the keeper to send the away bench wild. West manager Andy Nelson spoke after the game; “As managers we exaggerate at times but the quality of our play in the first half meant we could have been five or six up by half time. However you must give credit to Wigan as they kept working, made it difficult for us and were unfortunate not to collect a point from the game having got it back to 3-3.”
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers Date
Opponent
H/A
Aug 3rd Aug 6th Aug 10th Aug 13th Aug 17th Aug 20th Aug 24th Aug 27th Aug 31st Sep 7th Sep 14th
AFC Liverpool Alsager Town Bootle Winsford United Abbey Hey (FA Cup) Glossop North End Congleton Town Ashton Athletic Burscough (FA CUP) AFC Blackpool Wigan Robin Park
H A A H H A H A H H A
Sep 17th Sep 21st Sep 28th Oct 1st Oct 5th Oct 8th Oct 12th Oct 16th Oct 19th Oct 22nd Oct 26th Oct 29th Nov 2nd Nov 6th Nov 9th Nov 16th Nov 23rd Nov 30th Dec 7th Dec 14th Dec 21st Dec 26th Jan 4th Jan 11th Jan 18th Jan 25th Feb 1st Feb 8th Mar 5th Mar 22nd April 12th April 19th April 21st April 26th
Stockport Sports Rossington Main – FA V Runcorn Town Norton United
H A A A H H A A A H H H A A H A A H A A H A H A H H A A H H A H H A
Bacup & Rossendale Boro
Alsager Town St Helens Town AFC Darwen (LCT) Runcorn Linnets Glossop North End AFC Liverpool (LCC) Ashton Athletic Colne AFC Liverpool Bootle AFC Blackpool Runcorn Town St Helens Town Abbey Hey Congleton Town Barnoldswick Town Maine Road Wigan Robin Park Bacup & Rossendale Boro Silsden Runcorn Linnets Barnoldswick Town Squires Gate Colne Squires Gate Stockport Sports Norton United Maine Road Silsden
Score Crowd 1-3 0-2 0-5 1-2 2-0 0-1 1-0 2-2 0-3 2-0 4–3
124 72 180 100 122 130 112 43 136 105 52
1
2
3
4
5
6
Simpson Simpson Simpson Booth Simpson Booth Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson Simpson
C.Jones C.Jones C.Jones C.Jones C.Jones Settle Settle Settle Settle Settle Settle
S.Jones S.Jones S.Jones Botchey Botchey Botchey Botchey S.Jones S.Jones Botchey Conlon
Rogers Potts Potts Potts Potts Potts Thomas Thomas Thomas Woodcock Woodock
Kilbride Rogers Rogers Rogers Rogers Baird Potts Potts Potts Rogers Potts
Baird C.Schofield Brockley C.Schofield C.Schofield Brockley Conlon Conlon Conlon Conlon Rogers
Rossington Main v West Didsbury & Chorlton Free Coach Travel – Please ask behind the bar
Key: Goalscorers in Bold - Substitutes used in italics - Red cards highlighted in red
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers 7
8
9
10
11
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
Thomas Summers Summers Thomas Summers Thomas Summers Summers Summers Gleave Gleave
Summers Baird Baird Baird Baird Summers Woodcock Woodcock Woodcock Mason Mason
Walsh Walsh Settle Lawrence Walsh Walsh Walsh Walsh Gleave Walsh BaldwinWillis 2
Shillito Thomas Thomas L.Schofield Baldwin-Willis Luke Baldwin-Willis Baldwin-Willis Baldwin-Willis Malkin Botchey
L.Schofield L.Schofield L.Schofield Summers L.Schofield L.Schofield L.Schofield L.Schofield L.Schofield L.Schofield L.Schofield
Baldwin-Willis Chisambo Taylor Baldwin-Willis Woodcock S. Jones Baird Baird Baird Baldwin-Willis Summers
Chisambo Shillito Baldwin-Willis Woodcock Monaghan Monaghan Brockley Gleave Walsh Meikleham Brockley
Aston Taylor Lawrence Monaghan
Botchey Botchey Walsh Walsh Settle Chisambo
Ashcroft Settle Booth Brockley Booth Simpson Smith Botchey Malkin Kennedy Booth
Brockley
Kennedy Botchey Brockley Mason Brockley Malkin
Newbrooke
Rogers Botchey Summers Walsh
Abbreviations: FA V = FA Vase FA C = FA Cup LCC = League Challenge Cup LCT = Lancashire Challenge Trophy
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
The FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round 21st Sept v
Rossington Main (a).
Rossington Main FC was originally thought to have been formed back in 1926, but local knowledge shows that a team bearing the name Rossington Colliery played a match, in 1919, at the back of the Colliery Offices. The Club moved to their present ground at Oxford Street in 1921 it is thought that in their first season they made it to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, losing out to Lincoln City in a replay. Although according to the football club history database website at http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk that only has them reaching the 2nd Qualifying Round in 2002-03. The Club was formed, as was in the majority of mining communities, to provide Colliery workers with a game of football, changing it's name to Rossington Miners Welfare when the mines were nationalised in 1948. Over the many years of it's existence the Club has competed at many levels; The Doncaster Senior League, The Doncaster & District Sunday Alliance League, The Doncaster & District Boy's Sunday Football League, The Sheffield County Senior League, The Yorkshire League, The Central Midlands League and after changing it's name to the current Rossington Main FC they have competed in the Sheffield & Hallamshire WRAGG League and The Northern Counties East Football League, also Nationally in the FA Cup and FA Vase, winning many trophies along the way. As is the modern trend, the Club has made vast improvements to the ground at Oxford Street in order to compete at the highest possible level in the Football Pyramid.
Copy of last year’s FA VASE final ticket (left) which Rob Turley attended.
The FA VASE – AWAY TRAVEL This Saturday the road to Wembley begins again as West travel to Northern Counties East League Side Rossington Main. West would like to invite supporters to join the first step of the journey and share their coach to the game in return for a donation to the club development fund of whatever each supporter can afford. The coach will be leaving at 11.30 from the Bowling Green in Chorlton. There are limited places so if interested please ask behind the bar or contact Rob on 07706320397 after 6pm.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
Can YOU help the ground development… by sponsoring a shirt number for £20? Please sign up on the poster in the clubhouse or talk to a committee member for more information
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Premier Division Table Table correct as of 15/09/2013
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Premier Division Maine Road AFC Liverpool Runcorn Linnets Bootle Runcorn Town Norton United Colne Abbey Hey Ashton Athletic Silsden Glossop North End Congleton Town Barnoldswick Town Alsager Town Stockport Sports Winsford United West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Blackpool Bacup & Rossendale Boro Squires Gate St Helens Town
22 Wigan Robin Park
P W D L F A GD PTS 11 8 2 1 22 9 13 26 9 7 1 1 25 5 20 22 8 7 0 1 18 13 5 21 9 6 1 2 22 10 12 19 9 6 0 3 22 15 7 18 8 4 3 1 24 14 10 15 10 5 0 5 19 18 1 15 8 4 2 2 14 13 1 11 8 3 2 3 10 9 1 11 11 3 2 6 15 21 -6 11 7 3 1 3 11 5 6 10 7 3 1 3 14 12 2 10 9 3 1 5 15 15 0 10 9 3 1 5 16 20 -4 10 10 2 4 4 12 16 -4 10 8 3 1 4 10 16 -6 10 9 3 1 5 11 18 -7 10 11 3 1 7 11 20 -9 10 9 2 3 4 9 11 -2 9 9 2 2 5 11 19 -8 8 8 2 1 5 10 21 -11 7 11
2
0
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
9 12 33
-21
6
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Recent Action‌
Burscough’s second goal in the FA Cup (above) and Lee Malkin makes his long awaited return with a 15 min subs appearance (below).
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
Player interview…meet Steve Settle Age: 31 From: Bolton Position: Utility Occupation: Teacher Supports: Bolton Wanderers Previous Clubs: Atherton LR, Leigh RMI, Witton Albion, Leigh Genesis, Mossley, Curzon Ashton, Bamber Bridge You’ve played for numerous prestigious non-league clubs, has there been a particular stand out moment for you in your career? Yes, I have been lucky enough to play for some great clubs and in some big games. Looking back I’ve played in games against some pretty high profile players: Phil Jones, George Boyd and Paul Pogba just to name a few. We had a pretty good FA Cup run with Mossley a couple of years ago which stands out. We reached the 4th qualifying round where I scored and then unfortunately got sent off (wrongly of course) against, an at the time professional, Darlington side who beat us. I played for England Universities in 2002 and 2003 which was a massive achievement at the time and an experience that I look back on fondly. You started out at Atherton LR. How did you end up there? After attending university down south I came back up north and began just playing with my mates in a local league. We played against LR in a cup competition and after the game their manager, Tommy Foster, approached me and asked if I would like to play for them. I was there for a couple of seasons and played primarily as a right midfielder or right back. You then moved on to Leigh RMI in 2006 where you earned, “cult status for your exciting attacking runs and hardworking attitude.” Made 66 appearances and scoring 9 goals. What are some of your favourite memories of that time? That move came about after an Andy Nelson managed Leigh played against my mates’ team in an end of season cup. I had a really good game playing as a ‘ringer’ and Andy called and invited me to Leigh. At that point I seemed to be progressing every year so it didn’t seem like such a jump. I actually played in more than 100 games for Leigh over the next 3 seasons and enjoyed every minute of it. Playing with better players against better players at better grounds was a challenge I really enjoyed. Playing against Stevenage (Steve Morison and George Boyd) in front 3000 fans was brilliant as was avoiding relegation on the last day of the season. In 2008 you moved to Witton Albion in the NPL for a short spell, what prompted the move? I was all set to start the new season with Leigh and had agreed in principle a contract for a further year when I got a phone call from Nigel Deeley asking if I would meet him to talk about the clubs plans. I was suitably impressed by both Nigel and Witton’s facilities to sign a deal that very night. Witton is an exceptional non-league club with great facilities and great fans. After a decent start I picked up a hamstring injury away at Gateshead and that was followed by a groin injury and by Christmas I had only made about a dozen appearances. It was a very frustrating spell as injuries prevented me from showing what I was capable of.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
You moved back to Leigh Genesis in November 2008; what was different about Leigh the second time around? Where there any noticeable differences between Leigh RMI and Genesis? I went back to Leigh determined to pick up where I had left off and despite the rebranding, a lot of the lads were still there. Playing at the Leigh Sports Village was amazing and I remember captaining the team as we stuffed FC United 4-2 at Gigg Lane. I have known Gary Flitcroft for a long time as his brother Steven was in my junior team. He obviously has vast experience and knowledge after an excellent career in professional football and just being around him and listening to his views on football is a massive learning curve. It is no surprise to me that he has had and is continuing to have success with Chorley. I don’t think it will be long until Gary Flitcroft is managing in the professional game. From Genesis you moved onto Mossley where you made 59 appearances over two seasons scoring 9 goals. How would you assess your time at Mossley? I had missed preseason due to injury so when the new season started at Leigh I was 4 weeks behind the rest of the lads. Gary said they had had some interest from Mossley and asked would I like to go. Chris Wilcock was the manager there and he really helped me get fit in a short space of time. I really enjoyed my couple of seasons there as it’s a brilliant little club and I can’t speak highly enough of the officials and fans. We had a very good tea and we had great runs in the cups and we were unlucky to miss out on promotion as a fixture backlog towards the end cost us. You signed from Curzon Ashton due to personal loyalty to manager John Flanagan. Had you worked with him previously? How did you fare at Curzon Ashton? It was difficult to leave Mossley, John Flanagan was the Assistant Manager and then the Manager at Mossley in my first year there but he stepped down at the end of it. I have a lot of time for John, he is very knowledgeable and personable and someone I consider a big friend in the game. I think his Curzon team, as we saw in pre-season, are very good and will be challenging for the title this year. For me, however, it was a frustrating year at Curzon, I wasn’t really fit and spent much of the year on the bench but I chipped in here and there with a couple of goals. You then moved onto Bamber Bridge in 2011. What resulted in your moving to Bamber Bridge? I’d had a couple of good games for Curzon and Mossley against Bamber and I live round the corner so when manager Neil Reynolds rang me it was a ‘no-brainer’. I had started off last season quite well and scored half a dozen goals in the first couple of months but my form dipped a little and I found myself out of the team towards the end of October. At this time I kind of fell out with football, little knocks take longer to heal when you’re the wrong side of 30 and with a young family my priorities had changed. You came to West last season with the goal of learning the ropes from the boot room upwards with the view of becoming a manager. What has that experience been like? It’s been excellent. I’m really lucky to have worked with some excellent coaches and managers. For me Andy is at the top of that list. For me the experience has been a great learning curve and being around the club and the lads has been very rewarding. The club has a coaching structure and facilities that would be the envy of clubs 2 or 3 steps up the ladder and we try to do things the right way. We have some very talented footballers in the first team squad and some exciting prospects in the reserves. I’m really sold on what we are trying to achieve as a club and look forward to the youth development underpinning our progress on the pitch over the next couple of seasons.
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
How has combining the role of playing and being the assistant manager worked for you? Last season my arrival coincided with the lads going on a great run which meant that as a player my input was limited. It was great to finish the season so well by getting promoted and, of course, winning the divisional cup. It’s the first real time I have been able to see the game from a managers perspective rather than a playing perspective and I really enjoy thinking about the team as a whole rather than my individual role on the pitch. Have you set yourself any targets in your managerial career? Naturally I’m ambitious and would like to manage at the highest possible level but I am conscious of the fact that good managers have learned their trade prior to progressing. What is like to learn from someone with Andy Nelson’s experience? Working with Andy has been invaluable as his knowledge of the non-league game is unparalleled and his contacts list is a very big ‘little black book’! In the emotive world of football it is brilliant to be around someone as rational as Andy. He doesn’t really lose his temper with the boys and his focus is always on improving and progressing. It’s a big part of why we have such a talented group of lads with great team spirit. You’ve played in multiple positions at West, centre back, wing back, winger, centre midfield and centre forward from what I can recall, and are currently making right full back your own. What has been your favourite position to play? Do you enjoy playing in different roles? At Leigh I played in every position except goal keeper and I seem to be a ‘jack of all trades master of none type of player’, think the nice term is ‘utility’. I enjoy playing full back as in the modern game you are encouraged to get forward and support the attack whenever possible. Has there been any particular stand out moments in your time at the club? Callum Jones’ last minute winner in the final league game of last season to get us promoted was unbelievable! And obviously winning the cup was brilliant as well. Wherever you go your Dad isn’t far behind you, what kind of influence has he had on your footballing career? When I was younger my Dad used to take me all around the North West almost every night of the week playing football. Without that support and encouragement from such an early age I don’t think I would have played for the teams I have played for. Finally, the Isle of Man, have you any rebuttal from Anthony Potts re: your walk to the airport through the IOM countryside? I’m sure my good friend Anthony Potts (did you know he’s a model by the way?) will concede that our route to the airport was enjoyable, eventful and time efficient! Do you have your own favourite Isle of Man story? I promised my roommate Mike Kennedy and the rest of the lads ‘what goes on tour, stays on tour’ but a particular favourite memory is stood in a bar called ‘Quid’s inn’ ‘The Bull’ Tommy Walsh turns to ‘Housewives Favourite’ Lee Shillito and I and asks “Setts, what are your opinions on religion and do you believe in God?” My response was short and left him in no way uncertain as to the inappropriateness of his comments on a lad’s football tour night out! WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/
WHAT’S OUR
STORY?
West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, have come a long way in their 105 year history which began back in 1908 when the club was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. by Mr R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury.
West played friendlies at first and then in the Manchester Alliance League until the First World War 1914. After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and had to change its name to West Didsbury AFC, as that League did not permit a name suggesting association with any other body. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A, staying in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first honours were double runners up in Div 1 and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23, and the club remained in the L+C League until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way. The home ground from before 1914 until the mid 1980’s was Christie Playing Fields, and then the owners, Manchester and Salford Playing Fields Society, gave the club notice to quit having decided to sell off the land for commercial development – now ironically called ‘Christie Fields’ office park. After several years’ nomadic existence searching for a new home, the club acquired the redundant and overgrown Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road in 1996, and began to restore this to active use and develop a vision for a community club. This was down to the hard work of a core of players and Committee who refused to let the club fold. Work was completed in time to start the 1997-98 season using excellent new changing rooms and clubhouse facilities aided by a Lottery grant, new sponsors and members’ fundraising, but without a penny from the Playing Fields Society sale proceeds. Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect the new location in Chorlton and the club was then elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 West won its first Manchester League silverware lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of our centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season 2008/09 West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final. won their League.
With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, 2009/10 was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield (the third consecutive year in the final) and was league runners-up. The reserves won the Bridgewater League Cup and the U17 Youth team won their League. In 2010/2011 the 1st team won the Manchester League First Division title in style with a fantastic 65 points out of 72 possible. This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in Manchester League history dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final. The Youth team reached yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills. The Veterans were runners up in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans League and then started a second veterans team such was the interest in the club. Plans were also made to formally integrate junior football as the club Vision is to be a FA Charter Standard Community Club, playing at the highest possible level it can whilst remaining financially viable. Further improved saw floodlights erected in 2011 to meet FA requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club. Election to the NWCFL followed in June 2012 and the club had an incredible first season winning the Div1 Trophy, finishing in 3 rd position after an amazing run in during March and April to secure promotion and also winning a guaranteed FA Cup place. The over 45’s team again chipped in with Cheshire Veterans league silverware. 2013-14 promises to be another testing season as the club adjusts to life in the NWCFL Premier Division, improves its spectator facilities, adds new grass pitches and youth teams as part of its development plan, and aims for long term consolidation and stability at this level whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.
NWCFL Premier Division Tuesday 17th September 2013 – Today’s Squads
West Didsbury & Chorlton FC United
Stockport Sports
White Shirts, Black Shorts and White Socks
Red Shirts, Red Shorts and Red Socks
Ben Simpson (GK)
Alex Baird
Ross Booth (GK)
Ricky Anane (Capt)
Steve Settle
Jamie Kay
Richard Botchey
Warren Gaskin
Anthony Potts
David Chadwick
Mark Rogers
Dalton McLaughlin
Dave Conlon
Callum Mooney
Danny Summers
Jason McShane
Mark Woodcock
Matt Dolan
Michael Kennedy
James McShane
Gareth Thomas
Jack Balmforth
Scott Mason Lee Malkin
Max Thomas
Rick Gleeve
Jamie Street
Lewis Schofield
Jakub Warzycha
Tommy Walsh
Scott Dignan
Tre Baldwin Willis
Stuart Rudd
Lee Mason Richmond Botchey Michael Meikleham Manager: Andy Nelson
Manager: Darren Finch
Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle
Assistant: Chris Stammers
OFFICIALS Referee: Justin Hayes
Assistants: Ryan Hughes and Karl Bardsley
NEXT HOME GAME Saturday 21st Sept 2013 KO 3.00pm
WEST RES v Padiham Res