West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC End of Season Special

Main Club Sponsor:

2013/14 SEASON

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2

Premier Division End of Season Issue

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

End of Season Special

Hello and welcome to a special end of season edition of the match day programme available exclusively to supporters club members and supporters via issuu.com.

I would like to begin by thanking each and every person who purchased the match day programme throughout the season as well as each person who read it online.

For the programme editor, John and myself it has been a real labour of love this season with more phone calls and emails banded back and forth than was probably healthy but we’ve enjoyed every second of it.

The two of us have put together 26 editions of the programme this season with more than one or two that never made it to print thanks to the weather conditions. However the credit (or blame) does not solely lie with ourselves as we must thank Rob Turley for his editorials and first team match reports, Andy Nelson for his managers notes, Rob Madden for his reserve team coverage, Nick Grimshaw and Ian Depeiaza for the A & Youth Team match reports respectively. In addition to the players who have given so much time for interviews and to correct me on the number of man of the match awards they’ve won.

Finally I would like to thank Mike Fryer and the many other photographers who have supplied us with photos this season as proof that we actually did these things.

It has been a year of milestone for West including: Highest placed league finish in the clubs history (12th in NWCFL Prem) The first FA Cup appearance in the clubs history (and victory v Abbey Hey, Aug 17th) Tre Baldwin-Willis scoring the clubs first ever FA Cup goal The clubs first ever FA Vase victory (v Rossington Main, Sep 21st) Highest ever attendance: 441 v FC United, July 10th Highest ever competitive: 162 v Runcorn Linnets, Mar 18th Highest ever average attendance: 90 (from 24 games in all competitions) Played in the first competitive South Manchester Derbies v Maine Road In addition there was the installation of two new stands in March to bring the ground up to the NWCFL required standard, the formation of the new West supporters club and a sharp increase in the number of regular followers at Brookburn Road this season.

There are sure to be more exciting developments over the summer as we already count down to the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign which will see West again enter the FA Cup with Budweiser and the FA Carlsberg Vase in addition to their NWCFL duties.

Fingers crossed that we see you down at the club next season. Enjoy your summer!

Rob McKay Press Officer, West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Match Reports…

Saturday 19th April 2014 West 0 Norton 0 On a beautiful afternoon in Chorlton, Norton United braved the bank holiday traffic and arrived at Brookburn Road knowing three points would secure them the NWCFL title and promotion to the Evo-Stik League. As with most occasions it was fittingly tense and as a result little of note took place in the first half with Norton threatening with a long throw down both wings whilst both sides little from open play as the game was fought in midfield. It was Alex Baird, filling in at right back for Callum Jones, who had West’s best chance of the first half when he was released down the right thanks to a brilliant pass but his first touch let him down and the shot was blocked. The only other notable point of the first half was a challenge by Richmond Botchey just before half time that saw the left back take the ball but caught the Norton full back and forcing the visitors into an early substitution.

The second half was a livelier affair with Tre BaldwinWillis forcing the Norton goalkeeper into a good save from long range. Botchey himself would then have a ‘sighter’ go narrowly over after a long mazy run down the length of the left hand touch line. Tre Ferguson came on for Rick Gleave further sparking life into West who settled better and grew into the game as it wore on with Baldwin-Willis controversially penalised twice, first for an alleged handball and secondly for a foul when the Norton left back had slipped, when clear through on goal. th

Baldwin-Willis would have further cause for consternation when he was sent off in the 90 minute when challenging the full back for the ball and was shown a second yellow. From the free kick Norton’s launched it into the box, the ball was knocked down and fired home seemingly handing Norton United the title as players and coaching staff all raced onto the field in celebration. Unfortunately for Norton however the referee had raised his flag for a foul in the build-up and Norton would be forced to wait to collect their title as the referee blew for full time soon after.

It would be a mere bump in the road for Norton who were deservedly crowned Champions three days later when they were victorious at Winsford United to claim their second promotion in three years.

Monday 21st April 2014 West 0 Maine Road 2 The first ever competitive ‘South Manchester Derby’ played at Brookburn Road took place in front of the second highest league gate of the season on a wonderfully sunny bank holiday Monday. After the tense affair on Saturday against Norton this one was played with greater fluidity with both sides relaxed in possession and determined to play ‘the correct way’.

The crowd of 148 had to wait just six minutes for a goal when Maine Road took the lead with Road Captain Neil Chappell broke down the right wing and crossed low to striker Tom Bentham on the penalty spot and fired low into the bottom left hand corner.

West almost had an immediate response when Callum Jones miss-hit shot looped off the cross bar but the visitors had the better of the first half and went into half time with a deserved 1-0 lead.

West immediately picked up the tempo in the second half with a Tre Baldwin-Willis forcing the Road goalkeeper Ryan Livesey into full stretch save early in the second half. At the other end Maine Road forced Ben Simpson into a fingertip save of his own. The Maine Road goalkeeper responded with another great save this time after a terrific cross from Callum Jones and Tre’s near post header forced to be tipped round the post. Ben was forced into action again with a good stop from Ben after Eddie Moran was allowed to race through the defence unchallenged. He was called into action again with a good double save which resulted in him accidently breaking his nose.

Despite West having been the better side in the second half the game was won for the visitors on 63 minutes with a cross from West’s right hand side being headed home at the near post by Matthew Beadle and the final minutes were played out quietly whilst both benches rang the changes.

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 Report…

Saturday 26th April Silsden 2 West 0 West’s final game of the season saw them travel to Yorkshire to face Silsden knowing they could only finish in 12th place. In the absence of Ben Simpson due to injury, Conrad Betton was handed his league debut in goal and Richmond Botchey restored to the team in the left wing position.

West started brightly and Tre Baldwin-Willis had the visitor’s first chance of the game putting a difficult half volley just wide of Silsden’s post. At the other end Conrad was forced into a good save low and down to his left. The chance of the game for West came on 16 minutes when Rick Gleave’s shot was only partially saved by the goalkeeper but Botchey, homing in on the loose ball, couldn’t force it over the line. West should have scored again from the corner with a Scott Mason’s whipped in corners not being dealt with by the home defence.

Rick Gleave went close again from another Mason corner but could only deflect the ball over using his midriff and West would have to settle for 0-0 at half time.

In the second half West would be made to pay for their missed chance as a loose through ball managed to reach Betton but he didn’t take hold of it allowing Silsden’s Thomas Sowebutts to finish coolly underneath him. On 72 minutes the result was sealed when Callum Schofield passed a free kick straight to Josh McNulty who raced through one-on-one with Betton and finished to secure all three points for the home team. West produced little of note in the way of chances in the second half with Tre Baldwin-Willis going through one-on-one with the keeper only to be challenged before he could pull the trigger the only chance of note.

Worse was to come for West as Baldwin-Willis was injured as a result of the challenge and they were then reduced to 10 men when Botchey was forced off with a knee injury with Andy Nelson having used all his subs.

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

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

2013/14 Statistics…

Who used the most players…

When the goals went in…

How West Attendances compared to last season…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL Premier and First Division Tables Table correct as of 08/05/2014

* Indicates points deducted

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Reserve, Youth & A Team Tables Table correct as of 08/05/2014

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

2013/14 Results…

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

2013/14 Final Roll Call‌

Most Appearances: 42 Anthony Potts Tre Baldwin-Willis

Most Goals: 14 Rick Gleave

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

2013/14 NWCFL Premier & First Division Attendances…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West links with local schools

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Reserve Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers

Youth Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Reserve Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers

Youth Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

2013/14 Reserve & Youth Team Roll Call…

Youth Team stats up to and including 27th April.

Reserve Team stats complete

For the latest up to the minute information on West Didsbury & Chorlton please visit us at www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk ‘Like’ us on Facebook www.facebook.com/westdidsburycho rlton ‘Follow’ us on Twitter @WD_CFC or www.twitter.com/wd_cfc

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

From the Supporters Club…

First of all…apologies about the lack of a monthly newsletter…or even a quarterly one. I started with good intentions, I managed one and I envisaged sending all you fine individuals out a monthly update of what was happening at the club.

Unfortunately, between the programme and the website about a quarter of a million words were written ahead of it. Throw in the social media and the ability to remain both entertaining and engaging was well out of the door (some say will say they never walked in).

I did start issue two, I promise, but it is still, to this day, a work in progress so I’ve christened this end of season special edition the supporter’s club yearbook.

Hopefully between each programme becoming available online, that was for your enjoyment too, and the website being updated each day you know that we’ve finished a respectable 12 th place and advanced past the first round in both the FA Cup and Vase. It is a miracle of an achievement when you consider we lost the first five league games and only came off the bottom because Wigan Robin Park were beaten 8-0 by AFC Liverpool. I had a few Atherton Collieries fans texting me that night I’ll tell you!

It’s been a good year with visits to dozens of new grounds, meeting hundreds of new people, witnessing some special performances and even performing the odd upset here and there. Best of all it has been great to see so many faces come down for the first time and then come back! That means that we are doing things the right way when it comes to being both friendly and welcoming.

As for next season the good news is that I have brought on board two new people to share the load and assist (take over from) me in the running of the supporters club. I cannot confirm any details yet but there are plans in place to ensure that you get even better value for your money than you did this season (I’m hoping it’s going to be Richmond Botchey iphone cases for everyone!)

In the meantime if you wish to lend a hand or get involved please let me know at westdidsburychorltonsc@gmail.com I hope everyone has a great summer, keep your eye on the website for pre-season friendly announcements and I hope to see you there in July for the first one.

Thanks, Rob McKay

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Thanks you for your terrific support in 2013/14

See you in 2014/15‌

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WHAT’S OUR

STORY?

MS.prn 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.

Players of the Year Season 2013 -14

Congratulations to all our winners…

Managers Player of the Year

1st Team: Reserves: ‘A’ Team:

Tommy Walsh Kerim Jones Armani Coleman

Under 17's: Jardel Depeiza and Liam Redwood Young Player of the Year:

Theo Warmington

Players Player of the Year

1st Team: Reserves: ‘A’ Team:

Anthony Potts Kyle Hendley Neil Cusick

Under 17's: Frazer Child Vets A: Vets B: Sportsperson:

Maurice Thompson Dave Scanlon Monica Creer Kim Considine pictured with Kyle Hendley after presenting her trophy.