West Didsbury & Chorlton v Ashton Athletic

Main Club Sponsor:

2013/14 SEASON

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2

Premier Division 29 March 2014 – 3.00pm

Ashton Athletic

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

Ashton Athletic

WELCOME TO ASHTON ATHLETIC Our visitors today are Ashton Athletic who sit just above us in the table with some games in hand and who we last played back in late August when an entertaining game ended 2-2 with WEST coming back to equalise twice during the course of that game. Ashton have maintained a place in the upper half of the table all season and are a different and very improved side from last year when they struggled in a much lower position for most of the campaign.

This season they have recorded some impressive results including both league and cup victories over table topping Runcorn Linnets, the cup success coming a couple of weeks ago.

Last Saturday the weather was the difference between today’s teams. Whilst we managed to complete the game against Abbey Hey, to record a 2-0 win, the Ashton Athletic home game against Congleton was abandoned when the referee stopped play in the 72nd minute for a heavy hail storm. This was to be the last action of the afternoon with the scores 0-0 at the time. Congleton had just missed from the spot on 65 minutes but Athletic had chances themselves in a pretty even game so both sides had no complaints that the game was stopped when the pitch was covered in surface water.

Meanwhile here at Brookburn Road the game went ahead thanks to the work in preparing the pitch on Friday and the follow up efforts of John Barton and Steve Eckersley in forking areas where there was standing water which helped ensured the game was played. WEST were well worth the 2-0 win and played some great passing football despite the difficult conditions and fully deserved all 3 points.

Today’s game will also be another indicator of how far we have progressed as we take on another club with many years experience of playing at this level but if we can get another home win under our belts that will mean 50 points on the board which is a fantastic total thus far bearing in mind our pointless return from the opening 5 league games.

NWCFL LEAGUE NEWS Last Friday evening, we were advised by the NWCFL that: ‘Notice is hereby given as per Management Committee instructions, resulting from the recent survey, that due to lack of support the Reserve Division will be disbanded as at the end of the current season.’

In some ways this is not surprising following the recent decline in the number of teams in that division, the number of clubs without a reserve team and some others playing their reserve teams in other competitions. We intend to continue with a reserve team next season and are exploring the possibility of playing in another competition next season. This is unlikely to be clear until May/June when most leagues have their AGM. FINALLY, a big THANK YOU to everyone who braved the bad weather to support the team last Saturday. It was nice to see the clubhouse and new stand in use as everyone huddled together for cover during a very wet second half.

THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT and don’t forget that next Saturday we are at home again at 3pm when our visitors are COLNE FC. Rob Turley Cover: Danny Summers in action. Thanks to Mike Fryer for match pictures used in the programme & website.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

View from the Dugout Good Afternoon and welcome to the Recreation Ground for our third home game in quick succession. The quirks of the fixtures this season has meant it has felt like we have long periods where we are always on the road and equal spells where we are never away from this place. Obviously we have to play everyone home and away eventually but we have built up an excellent home record in our first season in the top flight and we will try our best to improve on that today.

Obviously our opponents Ashton Athletic will be trying their upmost to prevent this as they themselves have gone quietly about their business and found themselves in an impressive 9th place and with the games they have in hand I’m sure they’ll have one eye on a top six finish. When we met in August we earned a rare draw in a very tightly contested 2-2 draw coming from behind twice thanks to a late Scott Jones goal after a rare Danny Summers goal had pulled it back to 1-1.

Last Saturday we were victorious at home to Abbey Hey in a game played in monsoon like conditions. I was very pleased with the performance and I was delighted to see Rick Gleave return to the score sheet. Much praise must go to the team in an excellent performance as well as Jon Barton and Steve Eckersley who did their bit before kick off removing excess water from the pitch to ensure the game went ahead. Although we are well out of danger zone, safety is not yet guaranteed and we must continue to give 100% in each and every game and try to finish as high up the league as possible.

In other news the league committee announced this week that the NWCFL reserve division will be discontinued from next season. Whilst the league deserves credit for trying to preserve the division, trying to run a team in a league with just 9 teams has been a significant challenge this season. With fixtures so few and far between, even before the weather has took its toll, trying to keep a squad of young players match sharp and motivated has been nigh on impossible and has probably reflected in recent results. However credit must go to Rob Madden, an unsung hero for much of the season, for his hard work in ensuring that we have been able to field a team. However, this is not the end of the reserve team and we will be looking into all possibilities when it comes to fielding a team next season. In the mean time I am very pleased with the professionalism shown by everyone in the second XI and as a club we remain as committed as ever to producing our own talent and nurturing them so that they challenge for first team places.

Thanks you for your support and enjoy the game Andy Nelson

Our next first team home game kicking off at 3pm…

Saturday 5th April v COLNE WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current pitch side board sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Match Reports‌ Tuesday 18 March: West 0 Runcorn Linnets 2 Runcorn Linnets ran out deserved winners in this encounter but it might have been a different story but for a great stop in the first minute when a last ditch save denied Tommy Walsh giving West the lead. Runcorn responded immediately and a dangerous counter attack down the left was eventually cut out by a great Woodcock interception. The visitors were on the front foot and after 10 minutes a low cross from the right beat the West defence only to be volleyed high over the bar. A minute later and Runcorn had the lead when Ben Simpson got his right hand to a crashing drive only to see the ball fly into the top corner of the goal. A great strike and almost a fantastic save. The Runcorn front two were interchanging at pace and causing problems for West throughout the first half and it was nearly 2-0 when a West corner was turned into a swift counter attack by the visiting keeper and his punt down the middle of the pitch was collected and flashed just wide of the post. It was 30 minutes in before West had another sniff at goal with Steve Settle unlucky after good work by Tommy Walsh when holding the ball up under pressure. Linnets replied with another attack down the right when the first cross was too long but collected on the left and crossed back in only to be blazed wide. Neat play

by Matty Kay and Steve Settle threatened danger after 35 minutes but the visitors defence was uncompromising and cleared for a corner which came to nothing.

The second half saw more of the same pressure from Runcorn and a couple of acrobatic saves by Simpson in quick succession to deny the visitors in the opening minute. Further chances came and went for Runcorn before West made a couple of changes on the hour, with Woodcock and Settle giving way to Gleave and Mason. West were still fighting for every ball and still in the game and on 70 minutes the visitors keeper was completely at sea and lucky to get away with losing the ball about 10 yards out when the ensuing scramble saw the ball cleared to safety. Simpson again kept West in it, this time turning a free kick over the bar, before being finally beaten for the second time after 82 minutes when a smart move down the left saw the visitors add the second and decisive goal. There was still time for Runcorn to hit the post with another header before the final whistle and at the end of the game, the best home crowd of the season gave both teams a great reception as they left the field and the visitors retained their place at the top of the table and promotion favourites.

Saturday 22 March: West 2 Abbey Hey 0 The referee adjudged conditions were good enough to start this game as the ball zipped around across the wet surface and West kept possession well with some neat passing and good movement. 5 minutes in and Steve Settle cut in from the right flank and was unlucky with a great cross shot which somehow came back out after hitting the bar and post. Abbey Hey were finding it difficult to make any headway with Potts and Schofield dominant at the heart of the defence and Summers and Woodcock playing in front and seemingly everywhere. West gradually were wearing down the visitors resistance but it was 32 minutes before the breakthrough came and then it was from a set piece. Scott Mason curled in a great corner kick and Rick Gleave escaped his marker to flash home a great header from 6 yards to give West the lead. This sparked a reaction from Abbey Hey who responded before half time with a couple of attacks when they had forwards in good positions but they delayed far too long in getting an attempt on goal allowing the West blanket cover to suffocate their attacks.

The conditions deteriorated in a second half which resembled a weather forecast – overcast and dull with few bright intervals. The pitch surface became more difficult with West benefiting from getting the ball wide and switching play from side to side to stretch the visitors defence. West went 2-0 ahead after 57 minutes with a swift counter attack when the ball was played quickly from left to right to allow Steve Settle to break forward and again cut inside and get to nearly the goal line before crossing low across the face of goal where Gleave again was on hand to force the ball home. Abbey Hey were now in trouble and things got worse for the visitors shortly afterwards when they were reduced to ten men with their winger sent off for abusing the referee. The ten men made a decent fist of things and after 70 minutes Simpson needed to be alert and careful in stopping a dipping free kick over the wall which bounced just in front of him a couple of yards off the line. West should have added a third 15 minutes from time when Alex Baird found himself completely free only to head wide from another Mason corner. West then comfortably saw out the game to take all 3 points which their overall performance fully deserved.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

Support your local club and show your support with our latest official club merchandise!

New for this season at £6 (£5 for club members and supporters’ club members) we have beanie hats and a club crest scarf. There are now more ways than ever to buy club merchandise as in addition to being able to purchase on match days our new online club shop is open. Simply log on to www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk today to purchase what you want and have it delivered straight to your front door!

Wrist bands £1, Mugs at £5, Key rings at £1, Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50 Programme Back Issues

Follow News Updates on West via Twitter and Facebook!

Can’t make it to the game and want live match updates? Wanting the very latest news from the club on the move? Make sure that you log onto our Facebook page for all the latest news, views and updates on all things West Didsbury & Chorlton by clicking on www.facebook.com/WestDidsburyChorlton Alternatively you can follow on the very latest goings on the club with exclusive content by logging onto Twitter and following us @WD_CFC (picture of club badge)

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

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

The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.

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

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

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

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.

Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.

All forms of transport on the clubs car park is at the owners’ risk.

The club reserves the right to remove any person from the ground who is in breach of these rules or whose presence is a source of danger or annoyance to others. We hope you understand the reasons for the above are in order for the game to be enjoyed in safe and pleasant conditions.

Thank you, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Committee

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History‌ Ashton Athletic Ashton Athletic Football Club was founded in 1968 and played in the Wigan Sunday League - winning every division in consecutive seasons and many cup competitions before switching to the Warrington League on Saturdays where similar success was sustained.

The club developed Brocstedes Park and was admitted to the Lancashire Combination, before becoming a founder member of the North West Counties League when the Combination merged with the Cheshire League in 1982. Unfortunately, financial restraints prevented the required ground improvements to be completed, and the club was relegated into the Manchester League Division One in 1986.

The drop of two leagues resulted that the majority of the playing staff moving to other clubs and for numerous years the club endeavoured to re build. Players came and went, lacking the club loyalty that had brought success to the club in the 1970's and 80's until the committee embraced an ambitious youth policy in 1999.

The club is now at the end of a ten year development plan to enhance its recreational facilities and expand the club, in particular its junior section. Eight years ago the club had two teams, 50 members, one mediocre pitch with a dilapidated clubhouse and changing rooms.

Since then, the club members have worked tirelessly to progress the club within its means, and with some help from external grant sources, assistance from the Football Foundation, awards for All Programme and Wigan Council enabled a series of improvements to be completed. The main pitch was re-drained and a second pitch acquired/improved, new changing rooms and club house built, disabled access provided and other improvements made to the ground.

More recently the ground has been brought up to the necessary Ground Grading for re entry into the NWCFL in time for the 2006/07 season and further improvements have provided additional seating.

The 2008/09 season also saw a further progression of the club having been promoted to the Premier division of the North West Counties League. We will again take to the national stage having been accepted into the FA Cup competition after last season’s debut in the FA Vase which proved to be very lucrative for the club, progressing through 3 stages and beating 2 teams from higher leagues in the process. Last season also saw cup success for the club retaining the Atherton Charity Cup at the end of the season.

A new vision for the club is under discussion for the further development of the club and this includes improvements to the access road, new junior sections and a proposed girls/ladies section. The main ground is also scheduled for enhancement works with additional covered spectator areas.

The club is a voluntary organisation run by a committee of 14 alongside approximately 25 coaches and managers. Any money raised by the club has been ploughed back into improving the facilities and improving the youth section.

The club now has a total membership of over 400. With 9 junior teams consisting of approximately 160 children who take advantage of our now excellent facilities, whilst hundreds of adults and children from our opposition also take advantage of the facilities.

In addition to the 2 open age teams, the occasional run out for the veterans team providing a further 20 members, the highlight being the now annual challenge match against the Past Players of Wigan Athletic.

The club is keen to maintain the pace of development and future plans will enable increased activity at the club. Additional junior teams and a much safer and secure environment in particular for spectators and children. The club achieved its FA Charter Standard award in 2013 to complete its Holy Grail.

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Match Sponsor: Thank you…

Our thanks to Mrs Anne Cooper who was our match sponsor for the game last Saturday against Abbey Hey. Anne sponsored the game on the understanding that the club would provide a home for her husband Dave Cooper (the clubs Treasurer) on a Saturday afternoon.

Anne also helps at occasional events at the club which we are grateful for.

Remaining home games and sponsors list: There are two games left this season where a sponsor is needed, if you can help in anyway please discuss this with a committee member.

April 5: Colne: Dave Cooper April 21: Maine Road: available

April 19: Norton United: available

Our first mascot…Olivia Shaw As we record another first in a season of firsts, we have our first mascot today and are pleased to welcome Olivia Shaw.

Olivia is 7 years old and plays football for Heyside Angels Under 9's as a midfielder. Olivia’s dad has heard a lot about West and enquired whether we have have mascots, we were delighted to say Yes!.

Olivia's favourite player is Dave Conlon because he helped her dad pass his Level 1 at Manchester FA. The club is keen to explore any way of increasing interest and if anyone else would like to lead the team out please talk to a Committee Member.

West host the Manchester Saturday Morning League West are pleased to host the Manchester Saturday Morning League Cup Finals for the fourth year running, the three divisional finals will be played on Wednesday evenings with a 7.00 pm kick-off and the main MEN Cup Final is being played on Saturday morning with a 10.15am kick-off.

The finalists are: Wednesday 9th April - Presidents Shield: Cassidys v Alkrington Dynamos FC Wednesday 16th April - CCFL Shield: North End FC v AFC Middleton Wednesday 23rd April - Steeles Shield: Torpedo Chorlton v North Manchester FC Saturday 3rd May - MEN Cup Final: Semi-finals on 29th March WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Unused substitutes in the FA Cup:

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL Premier and Reserve Division Tables Table correct as of 25/03/2014

We are on the lookout for Club Helpers. CAN YOU HELP? Our club is dependent on the time and effort of volunteer helpers who act as club officials, manage and staff the bar and clubhouse on match days, produce the match day programme and undertake a host of other tasks around the clubhouse and grounds. Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please contact us at www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Reserve Team Report…

Wednesday 19 March: West 1 New Mills 3 West went into this league trophy game looking for a much needed win against a side that had beaten them away in the league the previous week 7-1.

New Mills started the stronger putting the West goal under pressure in the early encounters. However West weathered the storm and began to gain in confidence playing some fluent football. West started to take control of the game when in the 15th minute Dale Newbrook in the West goal had to be replaced due to a knee injury he picked up in the warm up by Physio and reserve keeper Paddy Murphy. West however continued to control the game and came close to scoring several times but for some fine goalkeeping by the New Mills keeper.

With 6 minutes to go before half time West conceded a goal midway in their own half, the ball was pumped into the West box which was not cleared allowing New Mills to shoot, the ball coming off the inside of the post to take an undeserved 0-1 lead. Things went form bad to worse when in the remaining 5 minutes of the half lost the ball twice in midfield allowing New Mils to counter attack and score two more, making the score 0-3 at half time.

West rallied in the second half not allowing New Mills a shot on target Paddy in the West goal was for much of the second half a spectator. West continued to press forward looking to get something out of the game. They were denied several times with last ditched tackles from the New Mills defence. West finally scored what was to be a consolation goal in the 80th minute when the ball was played across goal by Sam Mitten for Shack DePeiaza to tap into the net. West continued to press forward but were unable to add to their tally and the game finished 1-3 to the visitors.

Again an unfortunate result with the game being lost in just 6 minutes.

Rob Madden

‘A’ Team Update…

Saturday 1 March: Styal 0 West 1 A dire match that even David Moyes and Sam Allardyce would struggle to find positives in had 0-0 written all over it until the substitute Conor O'Hanlon calmly slotted home a square ball from Ashcroft on the right wing. The cooly taken placed finish ensured all 3 points for West despite a couple of late scares with the man of the match award going to the returning Kris Parry making his first appearance in a couple of months due to injury.

Saturday 8 March: APFC 4 West 2 Another sloppy performance effectively ended any lingering hopes of West accomplishing anything in the league this season. The recurring theme of a slow start resulted in APFC being gifted a 2-0 lead, albeit with more than a helping hand from a clearly offside first.

Having regrouped West got themselves back into the game with goals from Morley and Cusick only to be sucker punched on the counter attack when pushing for the win.

Nick Grimshaw

Youth Team Update…

Sunday 16 March: West 5 Stalybridge Celtic JFC 2 After the disappointment of the previous weekend at the County Cup Final, West’s Youth Team bounced back in the best possible way with a convincing win against Stalybridge Celtic, Jardel Depeiaza scoring 3 to collect the man of the match award.

Two more victories are needed for West’s to seal the League Title. With an 8 point lead and 3 games in hand over second place things look very good!

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Statistics…Correct as of 25/03/2014

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Looking Back…East Chorlton FC From time to time we get enquiries about the club and the ground at Brookburn Road, especially as it used to be the home of East Chorlton FC before that club folded in the mid 1990’s. The trustees of that club then sold the ground to West Didsbury AFC as we were then known, before we changed our name to WETS DIDSBURY + CHORLTON in 2003.

One such enquiry recently was from Kim Considine whose late father played here at Brookburn Road after the last war. Kim made enquiries about an old cloth shirt badge which she had come across in her late father’s possessions and as it happens we had a photograph of the same badge in our club archives and confirmed the origins back to Kim along with an invitation to visit the club. Kim kindly replied as follows: ‘ Thank you so much for sending me these snippets, fascinating reading, my dad would have loved it. He worked for Dunlop and he was called Harry Moss, true name Francis Henry Moss but everyone called him Harry. The badge is exactly right, your photo is lots smarter than my badge, which is rather worn but if you or anyone would like it I am more than happy to pass it on. It’s a lovely bit of history and I know dad would approve.’

We are delighted to welcome Kim and her sister Cheryl Dewhirst as guests of the club today and that they have so very kindly donated the old shirt badge to the club’s Brookburn Road archives. Our next task is to get a display organised featuring this along with the old cloth badges presented to various old WEST teams from the 1920’s to the 1960’s before the advent of plastic trophy mementoes took over!

A very nice gesture from this family and a very nice addition to the collection of club and ground memorabilia which we really appreciate.

Below is a picture taken in approx 1940, Harry would have been 20 that year and having been in the Territorial army he was enlisted for the war straight away. The team picture shows Harry, second left back row, and his mates in the army somewhere in the middle east, where he obviously tried to continue his football skills despite playing on sand in baking heat, with two poles for goals, They certainly look like they were enjoying that part of the day anyway.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WHAT’S OUR

STORY?

West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, have come a long way in their 105 year history which began back in 1908 when the club was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. by Mr R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury.

West played friendlies at first and then in the Manchester Alliance League until the First World War 1914. After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and had to change its name to West Didsbury AFC, as that League did not permit a name suggesting association with any other body.

The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A, staying in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first honours were double runners up in Div 1 and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23, and the club remained in the L+C League until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way.

The home ground from before 1914 until the mid 1980’s was Christie Playing Fields, and then the owners, Manchester and Salford Playing Fields Society, gave the club notice to quit having decided to sell off the land for commercial development – now ironically called ‘Christie Fields’ office park.

After several years’ nomadic existence searching for a new home, the club acquired the redundant and overgrown Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road in 1996, and began to restore this to active use and develop a vision for a community club.

This was down to the hard work of a core of players and Committee who refused to let the club fold. Work was completed in time to start the 1997-98 season using excellent new changing rooms and clubhouse facilities aided by a Lottery grant, new sponsors and members’ fundraising, but without a penny from the Playing Fields Society sale proceeds.

Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect the new location in Chorlton and the club was then elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 West won its first Manchester League silverware lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of our centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season 2008/09 West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final. won their League.

With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, 2009/10 was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield (the third consecutive year in the final) and was league runners-up. The reserves won the Bridgewater League Cup and the U17 Youth team won their League.

In 2010/2011 the 1st team won the Manchester League First Division title in style with a fantastic 65 points out of 72 possible. This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in Manchester League history dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final.

The Youth team reached yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills.

The Veterans were runners up in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans League and then started a second veterans team such was the interest in the club. Plans were also made to formally integrate junior football as the club Vision is to be a FA Charter Standard Community Club, playing at the highest possible level it can whilst remaining financially viable.

Further improved saw floodlights erected in 2011 to meet FA requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club. Election to the NWCFL followed in June 2012 and the club had an incredible first season winning the Div1 Trophy, finishing in 3rd position after an amazing run in during March and April to secure promotion and also winning a guaranteed FA Cup place. The over 45’s team again chipped in with Cheshire Veterans league silverware.

2013-14 promises to be another testing season as the club adjusts to life in the NWCFL Premier Division, improves its spectator facilities, adds new grass pitches and youth teams as part of its development plan, and aims for long term consolidation and stability at this level whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.

NWCFL Premier Division Saturday 29th March 2014 – Today’s Squads

Ashton Athletic

West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC

Ben Simpson (GK)

Yellow Shirts, Yellow Shorts and Yellow Socks and Pale Blue Socks Jay Foulds (GK)

Callum Jones

Louis Edwards

Scott Jones

Adam Howard

Anthony Potts

Ian Rowlands

Mark Rogers (Capt)

Luke Holden

Graham Kay

Ben Kay

Callum Schofield

Adam Gilchrist

Tre Baldwin Willis

Joe Hull

Rick Gleave

Ryan Small

Tommy Walsh

Mike Downing

Steve Settle

Richie Livingston

Richmond Botchey

Sam Bailey

Sam Mitten

Paul Casey

Scott Mason

Mike Wood

Danny Summers

Dean Callaway

Matty Kay

Phil Williams

Mark Woodcock

Steve Scahill

Lee Malkin

Jamie Harrison

White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks

Dale Newbrook (GK)

Manager: Andy Nelson

Manager: Jay Foulds

Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle

Assistant: Ben Kay

OFFICIALS Referee: Michael Bonage

Assistants: Mark Doherty & Peter Shacklady

NEXT HOME GAME Saturday 5th April 2014, KO 3.00pm WEST v COLNE