West Didsbury & Chorlton v 1874 Northwich

2015-16 SEASON

Official Programme

£ 2.00

NWCFL Premier Division

1874 Northwich Monday 31 August 2015& CHORLTON AFC WEST DIDSBURY 3.00pm

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President Brian Cripps

Director of Football: Andy Nelson

Chairman Glyn Meacher

First Team Manager: Steve Settle Head Coach: Steve Brockley Assistant: Steve Eckersley (admin) Assistant: Rob Madden Goalkeeping: Dale Newbrook Match Secretary: Rob McKay

Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441 Membership Secretary Monica Creer Treasurer Dave Cooper Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley Community Development Davy Iredale

Reserve Team Manager: Jim Hines Asst Manager: Ian Depeiaza Physio Paddy Murphy Magdalena Maria ‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale

Publicity Team Rob McKay 07706 320397 John Churchman 07720 508082

Youth Team Manager Ian Depeiaza

Programme contributors: John Churchman; Rob McKay, Rob Turley and Jonny Keen Match Photographer: Graham Curry 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.

To contact the club please use the club website: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Main Club Sponsor:

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EDITORIAL

1874 Northwich

A warm welcome to all our friends from 1874 Northwich for this August bank holiday fixture. As most will probably be aware, this game was originally intended to be played tomorrow night, but our two clubs agreed that playing the game by daylight rather than using the floodlights would make for a much better attendance, occasion and atmosphere. This is not without some downsides as it happens that numerous match day volunteers are unavailable on this date, but I'm sure the club will manage and on balance this is absolutely the right decision. This is one of the the only games at this level being played today in the area, so hopefully we may see a large contingent of neutrals as well.

Despite still being in August, this is the second time our two sides have met this season as 1874 were the victors in our FA Cup extra-preliminary round tie, running out 3-0 winners at the Barton Stadium. West fans will be hoping for a better result for their team today, but whatever the outcome today is sure to be an enjoyable one. 1874 always bring large numbers of friendly, respectful fans and it makes for a great atmosphere.

West have still not really got going this season. We were once again defeated last week as we fell 1-0 to Barnoldswick Town at home. And again on Tuesday in our away fixture at Nelson. But I am confident we will be able to turn things around in the near future. The management team are 100% certain our form will pick up soon and they are working hard to ensure that is the case.

Let's hope for a good game, pleasant weather and a large crowd today. It's great to see a packed Brookburn Road and prestigious games like this show how far the club has come since its Manchester League days.

THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF THE LEAGUE Another home game follows today’s game on Saturday 5th September when we play Barton Town Old Boys in the FA Vase, Barton play in the Northern Counties East Premier Division, the equivalent Step 5 Division on the other side of the Pennines.

We’re on the road again for another two league games, firstly at Bootle on Tuesday evening 8th September at 7.45pm and then to Congleton on Saturday 12th September at 3pm.

SPONSORSHIP We are pleased with the number of people who have supported the club with sponsoring pitch side panels; players shirt numbers, home matches and seats in the Rob Turley stand.

Thank you for your support.

Please see sheets in the clubhouse where you can add your name or your companies name if you are able to add your support to the club in this way.

In the meantime ENJOY THE GAME today, and have a safe journey home.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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Steve Settle’s Notes Good Afternoon and welcome to Brookburn Road for this afternoon’s fixture against 1874 Northwich. It’s a pleasure to be able to welcome Ian Street and his staff, players, officials, and fans for what promises to be an exciting game.

I have known Ian for about 15 years! He and I played together at Atherton LR when I was just starting out in semi-professional football and I enjoyed playing under him when he stepped into management at the same club. As such its brilliant to see him get the opportunity with a club like 1874 and after steering them to promotion in his first year to finish 3rd last year was an excellent achievement and knowing Ian as I do I’m sure he’ll be looking to better that this year. They have made an excellent start to the season and we will have to be at our very best to get a much needed win!

This game comes hot on the heels of the FA Cup fixture a couple of weekends ago at their place which we unfortunately lost 3-0. I think anybody who attended the game would agree that the score line doesn’t represent how the game went. We shaped up a little differently to try and compete for longer periods of the game, having gone there last season and been 4-0 down at half-time, and after 30 minutes I turned to Brock and said “I’m happy with how solid we look”! We then conceded from 2 set pieces before half-time and in the second half we threw forwards on, hit the post, missed a one-on-one and then conceded a third goal in the last minute! If either of those chances would have gone in it could have been a different outcome.

As I write these notes there is no hiding the fact that we are desperate for a win. In the first half against Barnoldswick we missed 3 giltedged opportunities to take the lead and at half-time I was delighted with how we had dominated the game. In the 2nd half we were awful. Not enough players are doing enough to warrant a starting shirt week in and week out and whilst I’ve been happy generally with some individual performances we are not yet taking responsibility collectively. Of the 15 or so goals

we’ve conceded 12 have been from set pieces!

All the more frustrating when I consider that we have worked on defending set pieces and taking responsibility for heading the ball away!

At Nelson again 3 of the 4 goals conceded were a penalty, free header from a corner, and a 25 yard free kick!

Fingers crossed we will have addressed these issues by picking up a win at Darwen and we can get a positive result today going into next week’s FA Vase game!

In addition I’d like to welcome our mascot’s Daisy and Charlie Glazebrook to the game today. They are both huge City fans and I’m hoping them being here will inspire us to play like City and get the win!

Thanks for the support and enjoy the game!

Setts WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 0 Barnoldswick Town 1‌match report West succumbed to their third straight defeat and their third straight home defeat as they lost to a solitary goal at home to Barnoldswick Town.

The first chance for West came on six minutes as Gavin played a lovely one-two at the edge of the area but took an extra touch and forced the Barlick goalkeeper into an excellent save to prevent the home side from taking the lead.

Immediately the visitors should have been ahead as they raced down the left, the ball was crossed into the box, it fell to Mark Threlfall at the edge of the area, he took a touch and with the whole goal to aim for curled it over the bar.

Scott Mason curled a free kick into a tree after Wolden had cut inside from the touch line, ran along the box and was tripped. Barlick won a free kick of their own when Matt Eckersley conceded a foul at the edge of the area but the shot was hit into the ground and bounced wide.

Michael Simcock’s game was ended just before half time when he caught his studs in the turf and went down in agony clutching his right knee. He was taken from the field with suspected ligament damage and replaced by Scott Jones.

The Barlick no.9 forced Paul Hughes into a good block with a shot towards his near post.

Woods had West’s best chance of the game as a brilliant Wolden cross found him unmarked at the far post but he could only head over.

The half concluded with Jordan Poole firing a long range effort down the throat of the goalkeeper who held well as the two sides were inseparable at the break.

If West had had the upper hand in the first half it was Barnoldswick who started the brighter and on 15 minutes had a great chance to take the lead when they broke the offside trap, Threlfall rounded the keeper but a brilliant block on the line from Eckersley prevented a

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certain goal and the West defence surrounded the rebound to get the ball to safety. West immediately broke down the other end and thought they had scored when Woods netted from 35 yards only for the offside flag to be raised.

The goal came on 64 minutes but it was Barlick who scored it as West gave the ball away at the edge of their own penalty area, Threlfall passed to James Gaughan who turned at the edge of the area and fired under Hughes to give the visitors the lead.

Manager Steve Settle rang the changes introducing Jonny Poizer and Sam Mitten but it had no effect as it took until stoppage time before they could muster a serious effort on goal by which point Barlick might have made it 2-0. Hughes went up for a West corner, the cross was cleared and it fell to the Barlick winger who missed a difficult chance in front of an open goal from half way to seal three points. A last game free kick from West from 25 yards hit the Barnoldswick wall and condemned West to their third home loss of the season and their third game in a row without a goal.

West v Barnoldswick Town … match action

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Today’s Match Sponsor…Pennant

For further information contact John Churchman – 0161 947 6942 Thank you to our last match sponsor We are very grateful to Dave Cooper who is our Treasurer and Committee Member for sponsoring our last home game against Barnoldswick Town.

Our Mascot from Saturday 22nd August William Maguire William was visiting Didsbury for the summer from Ottawa Canada, with his Mum, little brother Ben, and Dad, who is completing a secondment with the Information Commissioner’s Office in Wilmslow.

His new favourite English football team is, as you would expect, West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC!

William is pictured with captain Pottsy (left)

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Visiting Brookburn Road today 1874 Northwich It is probably something of a misnomer to describe the next few paragraphs as a history of our football club. After all, by its very definition, the word ‘history’ suggests that 1874 Northwich have a proud and glorious past that stretches over many years and its supporters can look back over past campaigns – good and bad – with a great deal of pride, nostalgia and fondness.

But actually, nothing can be further from the truth! You see, 1874 has only been in existence since the night of Thursday 15th November 2012 when disillusioned members of the then Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust voted overwhelmingly to form a new fans-run and democratically operated club.

For those who backed the move it was a heartbreaking decision as they had followed ‘The Vics’ loyally for many years, worked selflessly for the club and had shared in all its highs and lows. But numerous off the field sagas and financial controversies – which culminated in the loss of the hugely impressive Victoria Stadium – eventually lead the majority to decide that they could no longer identify themselves with the club that they had once loved and that something radical had to be done.

There was an overwhelming desire to bring the game of football back as the central focus, to re-build links with the people and businesses of Northwich and to put control of this new club into the hands of those people who ultimately would have its best interests at heart – the fans.

In keeping with its democratic structure, the name of the new club was decided upon by the members and is a conscious reference to the once proud heritage of the club that followers of 1874 used to follow. In a similar way, the club crest and colours are both a nod to the past but they are also sufficiently different to make it clear to all that 1874 is something different, something new.

The months immediately after the clubs’ proved to be very busy as everyone worked hard to convince a number of key organisations that the club was a viable proposition and could successfully operate in the National Leagues System.

Early on the agenda was finding a home for the club and this was achieved in the March of 2013 when a two-year ground-share deal was brokered with neighbours Winsford United - an agreement that has been subsequent

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extended to cover the next two seasons. During the same week, the former Warrington, Winsford and Ashton Athletic boss Ian Street agreed to become 1874’s first manager and he quickly started to assemble a playing squad that would be capable of competing in the First Division.

A few weeks later, following an hour-long interview by the FA at St George’s Park, the news came through that 1874’s application to join the First Division of the North West Counties League had been accepted and at last we were a bona-fide football club!

The next major landmark came on the evening of Wednesday 10 July 2013 when 1874 played their first ever game against local side Lostock Gralam. Prior to this game, there was still a nagging doubt amongst many members whether we had “done the right thing” and if the fledgling outfit would be able to attract sufficient support needed to make the new club a viable proposition.

We needn’t have worried.

For on that warm and balmy July evening, just short of 400 fans - the majority of who proudly sported the kit and colours of the new club turned out to see the start of something different, something new and, most importantly, something that they had a direct say in!

The first game ended in a 3-1 win for 1874 and better was to come three days later when in the club picked up its first trophy in only its second game by beating fellow fans-run club AFC Rushden and Diamonds 3-0 to lift the Supporters Direct Shield – a success that was highlighted on the front page of ‘The NonLeague Paper’; Not bad for an eight-month old club!

Just under a month later 1874 staged its first competitive fixture when Oldham Boro visited the Barton Stadium. Just under 500 fans turned up to see a little bit of history being made and although they didn’t see their team start with a win - the game ended 1-1 - the sheer joy and enthusiasm for ‘their’ club that was demonstrated that afternoon was both obvious and abundant.

This level of support wasn’t a flash in the pan either as during our first season 1874’s average home league attendance was 320 – which put the club in the top 100 best supported clubs in

non-league football. This total was boosted by the then record breaking attendance of 541 who flocked into the Barton Stadium in early October for the fans-lead ‘Bring a Mate Day’ initiative.

On the park, things were as impressive as Ian Street’s men hit the top spot in mid-October and remained in the thick of the promotion race until the very last week of the season. However, there was to be no fairytale ending to the clubs’ first campaign as previous seasons’ champions Formby pipped Ian Street’s side to the second promotion spot on goal difference.

But just as we had resigned ourselves to a second season playing First Division football, news came through about the sudden and unfortunate demise of Formby and as a result the league management committee asked 1874 if we would be prepared to step up into the Premier Division – an offer that was readily accepted!

1874’s unexpected elevation was met with a great deal of excitement but also some trepidation. After all, would the fledgling club be able to hold their own at the higher level against so many well established Premier Division clubs?

Again, our concerns proved to be unfounded.

Whilst retaining the bulk of the squad who had served the club so well during its inaugural campaign, ‘Streety’ made several judicious and well-judged additions to the squad and from the very outset of the campaign it was clear that 1874 were going to be amongst the top-six. As it transpired, the side finished in a hugely creditable third spot – which was way beyond the expectations of the vast majority of fans.

Along the way, several other notable milestones were achieved, including the clubs’;    

First ever appearance in the World’s oldest and most famous knock-out competition – the FA Cup Record victory – the 9-0 mauling of Wigan Robin Park in the FA Vase on October 5 2014 Best FA Vase Run – to the Third Round Highest home crowd – 563 against Runcorn Linnets on 23 September 2014

In addition, 1874 became the only club to record a league ‘double’ against the allconquering Glossop North End side that not only lifted the NWFCL title and League Cup, but also reached the FA Vase Final. Off the field, things have also progressed very well. For

instance, both supporters and players have enjoyed a number of other well attended social events including race nights, bowls competitions, fans forums as well as the two end of year presentation dinners – both of which have attracted over 100 supporters, players and back-room staff. Added to this is the ever popular 1874 Beer Festival which draws an attendance of over 300 and raises over £3000 for the club! A 300+ club has also been established and the money generated from this initiative will helps reduce the clubs reliance on gate receipts as its principal source of income.

The club has also started to develop, build and nurture relationships with a number of key stakeholders. For instance, well respected local company Britannia Carpets have recently agreed to extend their original two-year sponsorship deal for another 24 months. Just weeks later the news broke that the Winsford based Neuromuscular Centre – which provides a range of unique services and specialist advice for adults with Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular conditions – was to become the clubs’ charity partner for at least the 2015/16 season.

And looking to the future, a Stadium Development Sub-Committee has also been formed with the remit of finding 1874 a permanent home in or close to Northwich whilst the 2015/16 season will also see the club run an U21 side - which hopefully we be a stepping stone towards the creation of other sides covering all age groups, gender and abilities.

So, all in all, it has been a remarkable period of time since 1874 was born and everyone connected with the club are delighted with the massive progress we have made in such a short space of time. With our third season now upon us, we can proudly say that we have achieved what we set out to create – a sustainable, democratic, fans-run and community-focussed club that we and the town of Northwich can be justifiably proud of. But we cannot – and do not intend to – sit on our laurels. The club is determined to continue to develop and progress, albeit in a sustainable and stable manner which will allow the club to grow and meet its stated aims and objectives.

The 2015/16 season will no doubt be as challenging but as exciting and exhilarating as our first two campaigns and it is one that everyone associated with 1874 is looking forward with great relish excitement.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Next at Brookburn Road…

NWCFL

v Padiham - Saturday 19th September, 3 pm v Runcorn Linnets Saturday 26th September, 3pm

FA Vase v Barton Town Old Boys – Saturday 5th September, 3pm MEN United Cup Draw West have been handed a home tie in the second round of the MEN United Cup draw and will face the winners of Eccleshall or Chadderton.

No date has been confirmed yet for the ties.

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First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: Landen Clarke £60 winner: John C returned to club £40 winner: H Johnstone

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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

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2015-16 FA Vase and Youth Cup draws

The Road to Wembley for another year at WEST remains with the first qualifying round in the FA Vase. In addition West’s Youth Team travel away in FA Youth Cup. FA Vase: WEST v Barton Town Old Boys on Saturday 5th September In the FA Vase West have been drawn at home to Barton Town Old Boys in the First Qualifying Round. Our visitors are from Barton on Humber and play in the Northern Counties East Premier Division, the equivalent Step 5 Division on the other side of the Pennines. The tie will take place on Saturday 5th September and the winners will earn £600 in prize money.

The winners will have a home tie on Saturday 3rd October against Central Midlands League side Dinnington Town. The winners will earn £800 in prize money and a place in the first round proper of the FA Vase.

FA Youth Cup: Lancaster City v WEST u-18s In the FA Youth Cup WEST under 18s travel away to Lancaster City, during the week commencing Monday 7th September, but with the incentive of a home tie to follow.

Should they earn a victory they will face a rematch of their first ever FA Youth Cup tie last year, with a home game here against Wrexham.

NWYAL: The YOUTH TEAM also face some tough challenges in the Premier Division of the Youth Alliance League this season when their opponents will include: AFC FYLDE, ALTRINCHAM, ASHTON ATHLETIC, CHESTER, CURZON ASHTON, HYDE, MORECAMBE, PRESCOT CABLES, SALFORD CITY, SKELMERSDALE, and WARRINGTON TOWN.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Please sign up on the poster in the clubhouse!

Additionally, if you or your company are interested in sponsoring a match there is another poster to select your preferred match and sign up. Thank you for your support.

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Saturday’s Fixtures…5th September FA Carlsberg Vase 1st Qualifying Round AFC Blackpool v Maltby Main Ashton Athletic v Atherton Colls Bacup Borough v Worsborough BA Congleton Town v Nostell MW Handsworth Par v AFC Liverpool Hanley Town v Coventry Utd Hemsworth MW v Cammell Laird Morpeth Town v Padiham Rochdale Town v Parkgate Runcorn Town v Litherland REMYCA Silsden v Thornaby Squires Gate v Irlam Staveley MW v Cheadle Town WEST v Barton Town OB Winterton Ran v St Helens Town

Following his injury Ben Steer gave his thoughts on the season at the recent home game v AFC Liverpool Age: 19 Position: Striker Former Clubs: Hyde FC, Salford City, Stalybridge Celtic

After joining West last season and playing in the reserves, Ben Steer made the step up to first team football during pre-season. He immediately impressed with goals against Daisy Hill and Leek town. But Ben, who describes himself as a pacey, hard-working forward with a good finish, has just had the unfortunate news that he will be out for the next 2 – 3 weeks, due to an injury he received in the FA Cup game against 1874 Northwich. It's unfortunate timing for Ben, the young forward having only recently broken into the first team, but he remains optimistic, hoping to be back in action as soon as possible.

Speaking about the season so far, he described some of the challenges he faced; “I've felt comfortable in the games I've played, but I'm only just starting out in first team football. I played in the youth teams at Hyde and Salford and the reserve team at Stalybridge, so it's a bit of a transition for me. In the games I've played, I've not shown all my ability yet and there's a lot more to come from me.

I've not scored yet either but I've just got to keep going. I think it's just a case of scoring one and then more will follow.”

Ben feels the team is yet to get into its stride, but is confident for the season ahead. “I think we'll finish in the top 10. All the players here are of a really good standard and I'm really impressed with how the team's turned out. The management team have a lot of talent and I'm sure we're in for a good season.”

STOP PRESS…Nelson 4 West 2 read report in Saturday’s programme WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL League Table’s after games on Tuesday 25th August

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Appearances and League results table .

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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Looking back our new feature on Football History No 4 We all know about the exploits of the giants that are Manchester United and Manchester City.

Across the country, and even the world, iconic places and people like Old Trafford, Maine Road, Bert Trautman and George Best are regularly spoken of with fondness and reverence.

But Manchester has seen a great many more interesting pieces of footballing history. Here, we explore some of the lesser known aspects of Manchester's rich tapestry of football history.

Northern Nomads Our visitors today are 1874 Northwich, a team who at present do not own their ground. But can you imagine a club who never owned a ground in their entire history, a history stretching for over 100 years?

This was indeed the case with Northern Nomads F.C, a club who existed in the Manchester area from 1862 to 1984 without, as their name implies, ever having had a place to call home. During their early seasons, the club simply played “home” games wherever was available, often changing venues from week to week or simply switching the “home” game to the opposition's ground, if all else failed.

But the “Roaming Brigade” as they were known, didn't let their homelessness stand in the way of success. In fact, during the early 1900s they were one of the most successful outfits in non league football. The good times began when, in 1908-09 the club won the Amateur Alliance, using various grounds that included a venue in Sale as well as the Fallowfield Stadium (which was the subject of the first of this series of articles). In 1910-11 Northern Nomads reached the Altrincham & District Senior Cup final where they were defeated by the illustrious Altrincham F.C. In 1913-14, the Nomads reached the final of the FA Amateur Cup (the predecessor to the FA Vase) although unfortunately they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of ten times Amateur Cup winners Bishop Auckland. During this prosperous early periods one of the club's players was Donny Davies, a first class cricketer and English amateur international who later became a football journalist and was killed in the Munich air disaster.

After World War 1, the Nomads became slightly less nomadic, moving in as lodgers at Glossop North End. Perhaps it was this new found stability that prompted further success, with the club enjoying a run to the Amateur Cup semi-final in 1924-25. 2 years later, in

1926-27 the Nomads enjoyed their best season to date as they finally won the FA Amateur Cup. They also successfully negotiated the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup and reached the 1st round proper, where they were defeated 4-1 by Crewe Alexandra.

But at the beginning of the 1930s, it appeared the good times were over. The club failed to make headway in cup competitions and a four year spell in the Lancashire Combination proved to be disastrous, culminating in the club resigning from the league at the end of 193738 after finishing bottom.

Further success or silverware was to avoid the vagabond club until 1956 when they managed to finish top of the Mid Cheshire league. A great achievement for a club who had only joined the league that season. The victory prompted the club to rejoin the Lancashire Combination and they played in its second division until leaving in 1964.

Records become slightly difficult to find after this period and it is unclear what league Northern Nomads competed in for the remainder of their years. It is known however that they played some games at Brantingham Road, the home of our near neighbours Maine Road. They also competed in the FA Vase, playing matches against teams such as Glossop and East Chorlton Amateurs.

The club folded in 1984, destined for obscurity.

But it is interesting to admire the relative success of a club who must have overcome numerous hardships due to their homelessness. Those who ran the club will have surely had a huge job on their hands simply keeping the club going week to week, a task which they completed for over 120 years.

Of interest… this article by Jonny Keen is set to be published in the October edition of the Non League Magazine.

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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.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Premier Division

Monday 31st August 2015 West Didsbury & Chorlton

1874 Northwich

White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

Claret Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts & Socks

Paul Hughes Hayden Buckley-Smith Callum Jones Scott Mason Mark Rodgers Anthony Potts Scott Jones Richmond Botchey Michael Simcock Jordan Poole Rick Gleave Lewis Schofield Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Dan Russell Matt Eckersley Sam Mitten Jamie Waldon Ashley Woods Tommy Walsh

Matthew Beadle (G) Andrew Jones (G) Michael Brandon Niel Chappell © Matthew Conkie Paul Connor Simon Everall Aidan Haughton Martin Hill Ryan Jackson Louis James Andrew Jones Arron Kirk Elliot Ledwards Dilan Lomas Corey Mason Stephen McNichol Ryan Mitchell Josh Stadnicki/ Ryan Stewart Dan Thomas/ Stuart Tulloch Matt Ward/Matt Woolley

Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Manager: Ian Street Assistant: Paul Bowyer

OFFICIALS Referee: Mark Brown | Assistant Referees: Chris Thomson & Adam Brown www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Ass

NEXT HOME FIXTURE: FA Vase - Saturday, 5th Sept v Barton Town OB – 3.00pm