West Didsbury & Chorlton v Bootle

2014/15 SEASON / MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2.00

Official Club Sponsor

NWCFL Premier Division

BOOTLE FC Saturday 7th March – 3.00pm

WELCOME WELCOME

to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President

First Team

Brian Cripps

Glyn Meacher 0161 794 5846

Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Mgr: Steve Settle (coach) Asst Mgr: Steve Eckersley (admin) Match Secretary: Rob McKay 07706 302397

Club Secretary

Reserve Team

Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Manager: James Plowright 07900 332825 Asst Manager: Jim Hines

Membership Secretary

Club Coaches

Chairman

Monica Creer 0161 881 1135

Treasurer

Rob Madden – First Team Tony Holmes – Goalkeepers Joel Hudson – Reserves

Dave Cooper 07961 063195

Physio Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Paddy Murphy Magdalena Maria

Community Development

‘A’ Team Manager

Head of Fundraising

Davy Iredale

Danny Iredale 07939 392828

Publicity and Web

Youth Team Manager

John Churchman 07720 508082

Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397

Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401

Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903

Vets Manager Chris Smith 07867 171815

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

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE

EDITORIAL

Bootle FC

Today we welcome everyone from Bootle for the second time in a few weeks following their deserved win in the quarter final of the MEN United League Challenge Cup here on Valentines Day. Since then they have maintained their current good form to push their way into the top 6 in the table whilst our poor form has continued with further away defeats and an unfortunate reversal here on Tuesday evening when we went down 2-3 to AFC Liverpool.

That was an open end to end exciting game but our failure to convert first half dominance into goals coupled with ongoing basic defensive mistakes cost us all the points in a game we really should have got something from.

Today is the first of 3 successive Saturday home games in the coming weeks and time to try and stop the unfortunate run of reversals which has haunted us since Christmas. This is an unforgiving league and with 10 games left and 7of these at home, we need to start getting some more points on the board and stay clear of trouble.

STOCKPORT SPORTS Last Monday evening an Extraordinary General Meeting of member clubs had to deal with the unfortunate demise of Stockport Sports who have now been expelled from the North West Counties Football League, following a vote by member clubs at that meeting. The meeting was arranged after the Club breached several League rules, including failing to fulfil fixtures on three separate occasions, and failing to comply with Management Committee instructions regarding confirmed notification of venues for their remaining home fixtures. The Club also has considerable outstanding debt owing to the League.

The Club was invited to the meeting but no-one attended to represent them or provide any explanation of their situation. After discussion and questions the member clubs voted in favour of Stockport Sports being removed from the competition. Their playing record for season 2014-15 has now been expunged and all League tables, statistics and records will be adjusted accordingly.

Stockport Sports are now shown as bottom of the table with no playing record and it was also confirmed at the meeting that a further two clubs will be relegated at the end of the season and the number of league games to be completed reduced to 40.

The impact of this on our own playing record this season is that the 6 points and +7 goal positive goal difference we gained have been deleted and in that respect we have suffered rather more than any other club in the lower half of the table.

It is very sad to see the demise of any club and especially as we’ve played against them many times in different leagues dating back to when we were both members of the Lancashire and Cheshire League in the 1970’s and they were known as Woodley Athletic.

It is yet another cautionary example of what is happening with unfortunate regularity to non league clubs up and down the country seemingly every season and a reminder that we must ensure that our club infrastructure is secure and that we remain financially viable.

UPCOMING FIXTURES Following today we have 4 of the next 5 games in March here at The Recreation Ground.

Details are given in the fixtures table. On Sat 28th we are away at Silsden and running a coach to this game so if you would like to reserve a seat please speak to Rob McKay. Tuesday 31st our visitors are Squires Gate and on Sat 4th April, Easter weekend we’re at home against Silsden.

In the meantime we look forward to this afternoon’s game, extend a warm welcome to all our supporters and visitors today, and especially wish everyone from Bootle a safe return journey down the M62 after the game.

Thank you to Graham Currey and James Lobley for providing the pictures in the programme today.

Thank you for Programme Contributions to: Rob Turley, Rob McKay … Editor

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

From the Dugout…

Good Afternoon and welcome to Brookburn Road for today’s game against Bootle.

Since my last notes we haven’t had the results we would have wanted, coming back empty handed from Winsford twice, following games against 1874 Northwich and Winsford United, followed by another defeat at Congleton Town. We were certainly not on our game at Winsford for either match, not helped by the squad missing a number of players on both occasions. However, it was pleasing to see us bounce back at Congleton where we even had to call on our physio Paddy to don the gloves as we had a goalkeeper shortage. Everyone fought for the cause against the Bears and we were unlucky to come away empty handed.

We travelled to Colne last Saturday and pretty much everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

We gifted them two cheap goals and found ourselves with a mountain to climb after 20 minutes, Colne are too good a side to allow them this much generosity and we were three down before the break. In the second half we were much better and hit the bar three times but we were punished for being so open at the back and Colne took full advantage.

Of course in between the league fixtures we entertained Bootle on 14th February in the MEN United Cup, we were again struggling for players, but this isn’t to deflect the fact that on the day Bootle were deserved winners, their young team had boundless energy and pressed us all over the pitch.

The highlight of the day was local Manchester band Dutch Uncles launching their new album at the game, we are delighted with their involvement at the club, their presence on the touchline is becoming a real feature at our home games, long may it continue!

It was sad to hear of the demise of Stockport Sports in the week finally confirmed with the club being expelled from the league; it’s never pleasant when leagues lose clubs especially mid-season. From our own point of view we had two very good games against them this season with their manager blooding a lot of young players and were clearly being taught to play the game in the right way. I hope that those young lads are given chances again in the future and judging by the numbers already snapped up by other NWCFL clubs it looks like they will be.

Games against Bootle are never easy and we’ve seen from our two meetings already this season how competitive they can be. However we will want to rectify our defeat in the MEN United Cup last month and we have the perfect opportunity today.

I would like to thank all the supporters that have backed us in the recent weeks during this tough run.

It just shows us how far this club has come in the last five years and its terrific to see so many new faces around.

My warmest of welcomes to the players, officials and supporters of Bootle FC and a safe journey home after the match Enjoy the game…

Andy Nelson

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Colne 5 West 0 match report…

West stretched their losing run to five after an afternoon in Lancashire in which everything that could go wrong managed to do so. With Adam Hilton having left the club for Runcorn Linnets in the week West manager Andy Nelson called upon Danny Summers to make his 8th start of the season and was also able to re-call Nic Evangelinos following his recent hamstring injury in place of Lewis Schofield.

On the bench there was a place for new signing Dave Short, a recent addition from 1874 Northwich.

West were under almost immediate pressure from the kick off as the home side gained a foothold early and created the game’s first chance after just a minute when a long range shot flashed past the post when West goalkeeper/physio Donncha Murphy well beaten. The early warning didn’t stir West as the home side continued to press and put the visitors under pressure but they gradually brought themselves into proceedings.

The home side took the lead on 15 minutes in controversial circumstances as Summers was adjudged to have conceded a free kick inside the Colne half, although it appeared he got the ball. The Colne defender rolled the ball inside the West half launched it across field to the Colne right wing where despite appeals for appeared to be a clear offside Danny Boyle raced into the box and his low cross was bundled in at the far post by a West defender to give the home side a deserved lead. Poor officiating but simply West weren’t alive to the quick taking of the free kick.

Any chance of a quick response from West were immediately ended three minutes later when a long ball up the middle of the field landed on Kieran Brocklehurst’s head at the edge of the penalty area.

However instead of heading the ball away back down the field the young forward diverted it into the bottom left right corner to make it 2-0. West came back into the game as the remainder of the half became a midfield battle on a surface when both sides struggled to keep their feet but Colne were allowed the freedom to pass the ball around and retain most of the possession. West finally created a chance with Brocklehurst forcing the keeper into a save on 40 minutes when a long range effort was easily patted down. However it was Colne who would put the game beyond West on the stroke of half time when Spencer Jordan waltzed into the penalty area without challenge and was allowed to pull it back from the by-line to Chris Bailey who couldn’t miss from five yards for 3-0.

West came out for the second half with determination to gain some respectability from the match and almost pulled a goal back on 50 minutes when Scott Jones unleashed a rocket from 20 yards out which crashed down off the crossbar and onto the goal line with the linesman in no position to make a judgement as to whether or not it crossed the line. West introduced Dave Short into proceedings and he and Evangelinos combined well immediately to force a West corner only for it to be overturned by the referee. They immediately combined again this time for Short to fire low and wide but the attacking intent from West was there.

However on 65 minutes West would be carved open again when Adam Stockdale, Colne’s full back, rampaged down the right and delivered a low cross for Boyle to finish low into the bottom left hand corner giving Murphy no chance. West immediately went up the other end and had a goal disallowed of their own as a ball played across the goal line saw sub Jerome Bryson presented an easy tap in but he was adjudged to have been offside despite the square pass. At the other end West almost completed a hat-trick of own goals as Bryson’s back pass beat Murphy and only his quick feet and change of direction prevented from it rolling into the net.

At the other end West continued to be denied a goal as Bryson’s close range shot cannoned off the underside of the cross bar with Short’s rebound also cracking the bar before his second attempt was well saved by the goalkeeper. On 86 minutes it was 5-0 as the game came to a premature stop as Mark Rogers was flattened and clutching his face. However the ref appallingly deemed this not a threatening situation and allowed play to continue as Boyle broke the offside trap down the left, raced clean through one-on-one and finished coolly into the far corner for his second and round off a deserved win for the home side. Whilst there was a lengthy delay as Rogers received treatment and in which both managers entered the playing area to check on the West captain (who was luckily able to continue), Alex Baird was booked for his protest to cap off a miserable day for West.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Colne v West match action…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 2 AFC Liverpool 3 match report…

After Saturday’s disappointing 5-0 loss to Colne at the weekend West responded by producing a performance as good as they’ve had all season but were undone by clinical AFC Liverpool finishing. West manager Andy Nelson rang the changes as he replaced five from the weekend with Ben Simpson making his first appearance since August in goal, Richmond Botchey making his 6th start of the season, Steve Settle making his first start since November and handing Dave Short his full debut up front.

The changes had an immediate impact as Settle won the ball deep in Liverpool territory, lifted the ball over the defence and releasing Short who powered his finish low into the bottom left hand corner to give West the lead after just two minutes. Nic Evangelinos almost made it 2-0 four minutes later when Gary Lilley turned brilliantly to evade his man, played in the winger who beat his man, he cut inside but his shot was high over the bar from just outside the penalty area.

On 8 minutes Liverpool goalkeeper Steve Longrigg made the first of a number of excellent saves tipping a venomous shot from Short round the post. West continued to press and the visitors struggled to get out of their own half, surrendering possession in midfield under pressure from Danny Summers, Lilley and Matt Eckersley. West continued to press and Short almost doubled the lead when a teasing Summers cross just evaded the front man at the far post. He then forced an excellent acrobatic save from the Liverpool goalkeeper with a looping shot from range which was superbly taken with two hands.

At the other end Liverpool upped their game and were awarded a penalty when Callum Schofield went to ground on the edge of the penalty area. Despite protests that he’d got the ball, there was no need to go to ground. However Simpson, saved the penalty high to his right to keep the scores at 1-0. West almost seized on the missed opportunity as they quickly broke and only a last gasp challenge prevented Lilley from scoring and West headed into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

The second half began with a much lower tempo than the first half but Eckersley and Evangelinos both had early chances to double the home lead. Eckersley firing a shot low and wide from the edge of the area and a last gasp tackle on the line from a Lilley cross prevented Evangelinos from scoring a tap in.

On the hour mark West were made to pay for their missed chances as Ryan Cox broke through but his weak shot evaded Simpson, squirming through his legs to get Liverpool back into the game. Six minutes later Liverpool had the lead as they built up down the left, cut a ball across and Cox, unmarked at the near post, fired an unstoppable shot into the near corner from inside the penalty area.

Fortunately West heads didn’t drop and they were back on level terms when Callum Schofield flicked on a cross and Short was on hand to see it home with his mid-riff from two yards despite the Liverpool goalkeepers appeal for both offside and handball.

West were forced to shuffle the pack with Scott Jones coming on for Callum Schofield and Tre Baldwin-Willis on for the goalscorer Short. Liverpool pounced on the defensive re-shuffle and retook the lead when Josh Purcell combined well with Cox in the penalty area and finished off a superb move to make it 3-2 on 78 minutes.

A thrilling game didn’t finish quietly as first Eckersley had a thunderous volley turned over by Longrigg. Botchey followed up by firing a 30 yard bullet inches wide of the post. Longrigg came to the rescue again as a Gary Lilley free kick was knocked down and the Liverpool keeper turned another save round the post, a superb save. The final minutes West continued to push forward and had another chance cleared off the line at the death as a Callum Jones throw almost forced an own goal but Liverpool hung on to claim three points.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

West v AFC Liverpool match action…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History ‌

Bootle FC

Original club The original Bootle F.C. were formed in 1880 and played at Hawthorne Road. In 1889/90 Bootle became founder members of the Football Alliance. That season was their most successful as they finished league runners-up, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they lost to Blackburn Rovers (0-7).

When the Alliance merged with the Football League in 1892, Bootle became founder members of the new Second Division. However, despite a respectable 8th place final position, the club dropped out after one season (and were replaced by neighbours Liverpool) and seemingly disappeared due to financial problems.

Football returned to Hawthorne Road when a new club, Bootle Athletic. was later formed with the new team initially playing in the Liverpool Leagues. In 1948 when they were elected to the Lancashire Combination 2, which they won at the first attempt. However, they struggled in the top-flight and after several tough seasons withdrew and folded during the 1953/54 campaign.

Modern club In 1953, the current club was formed at first as Langton and played in the local leagues. After a very successful spell in the Liverpool County Combination (which they won on numerous occasions) the club reverted back to its better known identity of Bootle F.C. in 1973 and a year later joined the Lancashire Combination, which they won in 1976 and 1977. They then joined the Second Division of the Cheshire County League, which they won in their first season, and were promoted to the First Division.

In 1982 the Cheshire County League was one of the leagues that merged to form the North West Counties League, which Bootle duly joined, becoming a member of the First Division.

The club spent most of their time in the First Division until 2000 when they dropped into the Second Division. However, despite finishing 6th in 2002, the club dropped into the Liverpool County Combination.

In 2006 they were elected back into Division 2 of the North West Counties League. In 2009 Bootle won promotion to the NWCL Premier Division and also won the Championship. The Bucks first season back in the Premier Divison was relatively sucessful finishing 3rd in the league and also a sucessful run in the FA Vase. Bootle`s attendance record was also broken when 1088 (previously 750) watched the Liverpool senior cup tie between the Bucks and Everton.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Today’s Match Sponsor: Pennant

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Can YOU Help?

Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please talk to a committee member or contact us at: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk.

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: M Rivett £60 winner: Nick Grimshaw £40 winner: Patrick Nsoatabe

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

March games at Brookburn Road…

Saturday 14th March 3.00pm - West v Alsager Town Saturday 21st March 3.00pm - West v Colne Tuesday 24th March 7.45pm - West v Bacup & Rossendale Borough Saturday 31st March 3.00pm - West v Squires Gate

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL League Table’s… after games on Saturday 28th February

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Cheshire League fixtures, results and tables - Reserves Reserves 27th Sept 4th Oct 11th Oct 18th Oct 25th Oct 1st Nov 15th Nov 22nd Nov 29th Nov 6th Dec 13th Dec 20th Dec 17th Jan 7th Feb 14th Feb 21st Feb 28th Feb 7 March 14 March 28 March 4 April

Warrington Reserves - Cup Altrincham FC Reserves Ashton Town Reserves Pork’s Pantry - Cup Wythenshawe Town – Cup FC Woodford Moore United FC Cuddington FC Irlam FC Reserves Cheadle Town Reserves Altrincham FC Reserves Wythenshawe Town Warrington Town Moore United Mersey Valley FC Golbourne Sports FC Woodford Cuddington FC Witton Albion Reserves Mersey Valley FC Grappenhall Sports

(A) (A) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (H) (H) (A) (H) (H)

0-3 (L) 1-3 (L) 2-4 (L) 0-2 (L) 0-7 (L) 1-4 (L) 4-1 (W) 6-1 (W) 5-1 (W) 1-1(D) p-p 0-8 (L) 6-1 (W) 4-2 (W) 0-3 (L) p-p 0-0 (D)

The Hallmark Security Cheshire Football League – Division 2

POS

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1

Wythenshawe Town

11

11

0

0

43

33

2

Altrincham FC Reserves

12

8

1

3

13

25

3

FC Woodford

14

6

5

3

11

23

4

Mersey Valley FC

12

5

3

4

2

18

5

Irlam FC Res

9

4

3

2

5

15

6

Cuddington FC

11

5

0

6

-1

15

7

WEST Res

12

4

3

5

-5

15

8

Moore United FC

13

2

2

9

-34

8

9

Witton Albion FC Res

7

2

0

5

-7

6

10

Cheadle Town FC Res

15

1

3

11

-27

6

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Appearances and Attendances‌ after Tuesday 3rd March

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Statistics… after Tuesday 3rd March

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Recent Results & Saturday’s Fixtures…

RESULTS Saturday 21st February 2015

Tuesday 3rd March 2015

FA VASE 5th Round replay Dunston UTS 1-3 aet Glossop

Premier League 1874 Northwich 5-0 St Helens Town Abbey Hey 1-3 Colne WEST 2-3 AFC Liverpool

North End Premier League 1874 Northwich p-p Silsden Ashton Athletic p-p Colne Bacup & Rossendale Boro p-p Alsager Town Barnoldswick Town 1-1 Winsford United Congleton Town 2-1 WEST Glossop North End p-p AFC Liverpool Nelson 2-3 Bootle Runcorn Town 0-1 Abbey Hey Squires Gate 2-1 AFC Liverpool First Division Atherton LR p-p Chadderton Cammell Laird 1907 3-0 Cheadle Town Daisy Hill 0-4 Widnes Eccleshall 3-2 Irlam Holker Old Boys 2-2 Wigan Robin Park Saturday 28th February 2015 Premier League Abbey Hey 1-2 Squires Gate Bacup & Rossendale Boro 1-0 AFC Liverpool Colne 5-0 WEST Glossop North End p-p Barnoldswick Town Maine Road 1-1 Bootle Runcorn Linnets 3-2 1874 Northwich Silsden 0-3 Congleton Town St Helens Town 1-6 Nelson Winsford United 4-2 Runcorn Town First Division AFC Darwen 2-1 Ashton Town Atherton Collieries 5-1 Eccleshall Cammell Laird 1907 4-1 Wigan Robin Park Chadderton 4-1 Daisy Hill Cheadle Town p-p Barnton Hanley Town 1-1 Rochdale Town Litherland REMYCA 2-0 Irlam Oldham Boro p-p Holker Old Boys Widnes 1-1 Northwich Flixton Villa Tuesday 3rd March 2015 The Reush First Division Cup Qtr Finals Ashton Town 1-0 Oldham Boro

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Wednesday 4th March 2015 The Reush First Division Cup Qtr Finals Hanley Town 1-4 AFC Darwen Northwich Flixton Villa 0-1 Litherland REMYCA

FIXTURES Saturday 7th March 2015 FA VASE 6th Round replay Glossop North End v Shaw Lane Aquaforce Premier League Abbey Hey v St Helens Town AFC Liverpool v Runcorn Linnets Ashton Athletic v Alsager Town Barnoldswick Town v 1874 Northwich Colne v Maine Road Congleton Town v Bacup & Rossendale Boro Nelson v Stockport Sports Runcorn Town v AFC Blackpool Silsden v Glossop North End WEST v Bootle Winsford United v Squires Gate First Division Ashton Town v Wigan Robin Park Barnton v AFC Darwen Chadderton v Holker Old Boys Cheadle Town v Atherton LR Daisy Hill v Northwich Flixton Villa Hanley Town v Oldham Boro Irlam v Eccleshall Litherland REMYCA v Atherton Collieries Rochdale Town v Cammell Laird 1907

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

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!

Club crest scarves £7 (£6 to club or supporter club members) Wrist bands £1 Beanie hats £6 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

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.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

A Brief History…

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 saw the club meet a number of challenges on and off the field by recovering from a series of early season setbacks and defeats in August to consolidate with a very creditable 12th place league finish. Two new stands were installed to improves the spectator facilities, new grass pitches and youth teams were added as part of the long term development plan, whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.

The other historic milestones achieved during the season were the 2-0 home victory over Abbey Hey in the club’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup followed by a 2-1 first ever FA Vase victory away at NCEL Rossington Main near Doncaster in mid September. This season the club hosts Brighouse Town from the Evo Stik league in the FA Cup at the end of August having been given a walk by the FA against NWCFL new club Cammell Laird 1907.

NWCFL Premier Division Saturday 7th March 2015 – Today’s Squads West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

G’keepers Ben SImpson Paul Hughes Defenders Callum Jones Scott Jones Anthony Potts Callum Schofield Alex Baird Mark Rogers (Capt) Richmond Botchey Midfield Steve Settle Jordan Poole Gary Lilley Scott Mason Matt Eckersley Danny Summers Forwards Jerome Bryson Kieran Brocklehurst Tre Baldwin-Willis Nic Evanogelinos Lewis Schofield David Short Manager: Andy Nelson Assistants: Steve Settle & Steve Eckersley

Bootle FC All Blue

Jack Mano Neil McQueen Tyler Hudson David Taylor Jamie Hay Adam Burton Jay McGrane Josh Hamilton Tom Peterson Sam Wilkie Shaun Harris Conor Christianson Richie Cowderoy Michael Roberts Daniel O’Connor Emini Adegbenro

Manager: Joe Doran Assistant: Neil McQueen & Richie Boswarva

OFFICIALS

Referee: Philip Dermott Assistant Referees: Nigel Usher and Peter Simm